Mark Flekken injury absence against Spurs explained by Brentford boss Thomas Frank

Mark Flekken missed out on Brentford’s clash with Tottenham on Sunday due to a side strain he picked up in midweek.

The Dutch goalkeeper has been an ever-present this season but that run comes to an end, with Iceland international Hakon Valdimarsson taking the gloves against Spurs.

Speaking ahead of the game at the Brentford Community Stadium, Bees boss Thomas Frank said: ‘Mark picked up a side strain two days ago so unfortunately he can’t play.

‘I have full confidence in Hákon Valdimarsson; he did well against Brighton when he came on.’

23-year-old Valdimarsson joined Brentford from Swedish side IF Elfsborg over the summer and made his Premier League debut when he replaced Flekken as a first half substitute against Brighton in December.

That game finished 0-0 but the 17-cap Iceland international could not keep a clean sheet against Spurs, conceding an unusual goal in the first half on Sunday afternoon.

An in-swinging corner was deflected into his own net by Vitaly Janelt, with the goalkeeper unable to stop the unfortunate turn of events for the home side.

Pape Sarr scored a second for Spurs and that was the end of the goals as the away team left with a 2-0 win.

Defeat left Brentford 11th and saw Tottenham stop their recent terrible run of form and climb to 14th in the Premier League table.

With Valdimarsson stepping into the starting XI, 18-year-old American Julian Eyestone started on the bench against Spurs.

The 6’7″ teenager joined the club over the summer having previously played for Duke University in the States.

He is yet to make his senior debut for his current club and was on the bench for the first time in a Premier League game this weekend.