Brentford skipper Pontus Jansson has been opening up about his recent injury, citing three years of almost consecutive playing time with Leeds United and Sweden as the reason for fitness issues catching up with him.

Over a three year spell at Elland Road, Jansson made 120 appearances for Leeds, with the 29-year-old also featuring for Sweden regularly and representing them at the 2018 World Cup.

In the summer, Jansson made the switch to Griffin Park, where he took over the captaincy under Thomas Frank. He made 25 appearances for the Bees, but has been missing January 11th’s 3-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers.

Jansson revealed that the injury was hampering him before the winter, with things seemingly just catching up with the defender.

Speaking to Kvallsposten, Jansson said: “I was injured in the autumn and still played on.  

“I came from several seasons in a row without any break really and without any actual pre-season. There have been Championships and there have been pre-seasons and there has been almost no break in three years really.”  

Jansson’s early season form has helped Brentford position themselves in the play-off picture, with nine games separating Frank’s side for a shot at the Premier League.

Of course, last season, Jansson was part of the Leeds squad that missed out on Wembley’s play-off final after a thrilling contest with Derby County.

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The Verdict

Jansson is in his prime and his time at Leeds saw him sit amongst the best players in the Championship.

He was playing weekly and getting little rest, which Jansson clearly feels is part of the reason that his niggling injuries have caught up with him.

This extended break following the outbreak of Covid-19 isn’t timely in terms of finishing the Championship season, but for Jansson, it is a chance to get fully fit and finish the season how he started it.

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