Future of Brentford striker Gray remains uncertain

Marinus Dijkhuizen has shrugged off reports that Burnley are looking to sign Brentford striker Andre Gray.

Gray was one of several established players missing from the Bees side for their 4-0 defeat at home to Oxford United in the first round of the Capital One Cup.

Head coach Dijkhuizen said he left Gray out because of uncertainty over the player’s future as Hull City attempt to agree a deal to sign him.

But the Dutchman was surprised at suggestions that Burnley are also interested.

“That’s news to me,” said Dijkhuizen, who added that Gray’s future was no closer to being resolved.

Dijkhuizen also said he left out Harlee Dean and Alan Judge because both are ill and that Jota did not feature because of an injury.

On a miserable night for a team made up of fringe players, summer signing Andreas Bjelland was substituted because of a knee problem, as was Nico Yennaris.

“I had a lot of reasons to make a lot of changes,” Dijkhuizen explained.

But he admitted: “There were a lot of changes and maybe too much. There were lessons for me, maybe.

“Oxford played very well and also scored with their first three chances. It was always going to be difficult from then.

“It was a long night for me, for the supporters and especially for the players.”

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