Brentford have made signing a full-back their priority in January.

A spate of injuries has left Mads Roerslev as the club’s only fit full-back, forcing the Bees, who have lost seven of their past eight Premier League games, to go into the ­market.

Versatile full-back Aaron Hickey is now not due back until next month after a setback on his hamstring injury, while Kristoffer Ajer is sidelined with an ankle problem.

First-choice left-back Rico Henry had surgery on his torn ACL in September and is not expected to play again this season.

Ivan Toney’s betting ban will end in time for him to face Nottingham Forest in Brentford’s next League match on January 20, but they are still in the market for a forward given Bryan Mbeumo and Kevin Schade’s injuries and the fact Yoane Wissa could miss a month as he represents DR Congo at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Technical director Lee Dykes is eyeing a third goalkeeper to provide competition for £12million summer signing Mark Flekken alongside Thomas Strakosha. Third-choice goalkeeper Ellery Balcombe could leave on loan if an attractive enough offer from an EFL club comes in.

Head coach Thomas Frank has made clear that, besides a new full-back, Brentford will sign only long-term targets.

Josh Dasilva, Shandon Baptiste and Charlie Goode are all in the final six months of their contracts, and the club would consider any loan or permanent offers for the trio.