Brentford vs Milton Keynes Dons - Dean Smith ready for Brentford bow against MK Dons

Dean Smith takes charge of Brentford for the first time when they host MK Dons.

The new Bees manager has some key players, who were largely unavailable to predecessors Marinus Dijkhuizen and interim coach Lee Carsley, close to fitness after long spells out.

Midfielders Jota (ankle) and Josh McEachran (foot) and full-back Maxime Colin (knee) are all on the verge of returning.

But Marco Djuricin (ankle), Andreas Bjelland, Scott Hogan (both knee) and Lewis Macleod (hamstring) are still injured while Harlee Dean is suspended.

MK Dons striker Simon Church is a doubt after a knee injury in training forced him to miss last week's draw at Wolves so Nicky Maynard appears likely to continue up front.

Midfielder Ben Reeves returned to training this week having been sidelined with a calf problem since the end of October but is unlikely to be ready for the weekend.

Defenders Joe Walsh (knee) and Matt Upson (calf) are both making good progress in their comebacks.

Midfielder Mark Randall, who has not featured since March, was back in training this week after a knee problem while midfielder Dale Jennings, out since mid-August, will rejoin the group on Monday.