Brentford boss Thomas Frank feels that Rico Henry's season-ending injury has denied him the chance of a potential England call-up ahead of Euro 2024.
Henry is expected to miss the remainder of the 2023-24 season after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury in last weekend's defeat to Newcastle United.
The left-back, who is Brentford's longest-serving player, has only missed five Premier League games since August 2021.
Henry featured in all but one of Brentford's 38 Premier League matches last term, helping the club achieve a ninth-placed finish.
The 26-year-old has gone on to start all five Premier League games for the Bees this season, but he is now set for an extended period on the sidelines.
Frank believes that Henry was on the verge of receiving his first England call-up, before suffering a serious knee injury against Newcastle.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's clash with Everton, Frank told reporters: "It is a big loss for us, he is a key player, there is no doubt about that. Mostly I feel for him. I think he has done so well so far this season.
"In my opinion, I'm not the head coach of the national team of England, but he must have been very close to being picked for Euro 2024 - that is, of course, out of the question now.
"Unfortunately, that is part of football. We will find a solution and make sure we put 11 good players out there and a good team out there this weekend."
With the Brentford head coach unable to call upon Henry's services, he will be forced to reshuffle his defence for Saturday's home contest.
Aaron Hickey has featured at right-back in all five Premier League fixtures this term, but the left-footed defender is expected to move over to the opposite flank in Henry's absence.
If Frank decides to move Hickey to the left side of defence, the vacant right-back position is set to be filled by either Mads Roerslev or Kristoffer Ajer.
After drawing their first three home games, 11th-placed Brentford are hoping to claim their first home win of the season against the Toffees. body check tags ::
