Brentford boss Thomas Frank has claimed he is confident the club will keep hold of key attacking duo Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma in the January transfer window.

Frank saw his promotion-chasing side slip to a 1-0 defeat against London rivals Millwall on Sunday afternoon, with Aiden O'Brien scoring the only goal of the match as the Bees' four-game unbeaten run came to an end at The Den.

The Griffin Park outfit entered the match in a rich vein of form following a run which had seen them climb into the play-off zone, and the likes of Watkins and Benrahma have played important roles during the Bees' upturn in fortunes.

Speaking to West London Sport after the Millwall clash, Frank has now asserted his confidence in the pair remaining in West London beyond January, but he conceded that the exciting duo will eventually depart the club.

“Yes, I think we will keep hold of Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma in January,” he said.

“I can’t see why they would go anywhere. That’s my personal opinion. They are enjoying their football and love how we do things at Brentford.

“There is a time and a place for that [to move] but it’s not now for either of them.”

Watkins has enjoyed a prolific season in his new centre-forward role by scoring 15 goals during his 25 appearances this term, while Benrahma has netted three times and registered six assists in his 21 outings this campaign.

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The Verdict

Brentford made a slow start to the season as they adjusted to a busy summer of incomings and outgoings, but they have been playing some fantastic football of late with Watkins and Benrahma integral to this.

These two players have helped comprise Brentford's lively attacking unit which also includes Bryan Mbuemo, and these three players will need to maintain their good form if the Bees are to challenge for promotion this term.

It is clear that Watkins and Benrahma both possess the quality and confidence to succeed in the top-flight, but they should definitely remain at Griffin Park for at least the second half of the current season to help Brentford achieve their aims.