Brentford set for double fitness boost as duo step up returns before West Ham clash | OneFootball

Bees pair set to play in under-21 derby fixture against west London rivals QPR this week

Back in action: Reiss Nelson has only made one appearance for Brentford since joining on loan from Arsenal on Deadline Day

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Reiss Nelson and Vitaly Janelt are both expected to feature for Brentford’s Under-21s when they host QPR at the Gtech Community Stadium on Tuesday night.

Janelt, meanwhile, is stepping up his recovery from heel surgery, which ruled him out of the first three Premier League games of the season.

Brentford signed Nelson on loan from Arsenal on Deadline Day, and they hold an option to sign the winger permanently at the end of the season.

The club will assess Nelson throughout the campaign but are wary of his injury record, with the 25-year-old having missed the majority of last season on loan at Fulham with a hamstring issue.

Nelson has played just 22 minutes of football for Brentford this season, scoring a penalty in the shootout against Villa, but is expected to gain some much-needed game time when their U21s take on QPR.

Brentford’s U21s won the Professional Development League (PDL) last season but were beaten by QPR in the Premier League Cup final at Loftus Road.

Now under the management of Sam Saunders, following Neil MacFarlane’s promotion to the first-team coaching staff, Brentford’s U21s have started the season well, winning four of their opening six league games.

They host QPR, who sit 15th in the PDL, for the first time at the Gtech, hoping to get back to winning ways following their 1-0 defeat by Exeter in the Premier League Cup.