Midfielder Craig Pead is unlikely to leave Brentford this January having gone under the knife for knee surgery prior to new year's day.

The 27-year-old came close to a move away from Griffin Park in the summer, but pulled out of a switch to League Two Port Vale at the eleventh hour.

Pead is one of a number of squad members – including playmaker Gary Smith – boss Andy Scott is monitoring during the transfer window with a view to bringing in re-enforcements.

Defender Alan Bennett has agreed a month long extension to his current loan deal with a view to staying at Griffin Park for the remainder of the campaign.

Bees chief Scott, who says he is in no rush to off load out of favour keeper Simon Brown, is set to open talks with Ipswich Town over the possibility of retaining the services of Dean Bowditch.

But the Brentford boss admits he is prepared to sit tight to make the most of the four weeks that proved pivotal to his success last season.

“A lot of managers are waiting to see what happens this month and we are no different. We’ll be speaking to Ipswich over Dean, but we have to see,” he said.

“Things go mental at this time of year. We field a lot of phone calls from agents and managers. Things change very quickly that can affect players coming to us. We’ve got to deal with it.

“I’m not going to moan about it, because the window last year enabled me to do some good business on some players, but it is frustrating.

“There isn’t a lot of money about at the moment and the disappointing thing is when players move for reasons other than loyalty and football.

“All I’m focused on is the game this week and we will sit down and assess our priorities then.”

Brown returned to the club this week after a half-season loan spell at Darlington, but Scott is still waiting to hear what the next move is.

Meanwhile, Pead is fighting back from an exploratory op to solve a long standing knee problem having made a good start to the campaign and isn’t likely to leave.

“Darlington have not made a decision on Simon yet. He knows where I stand. He is not my first choice keeper, but if a deal doesn’t happen then we are going to have a very strong goalkeeper in the squad,” he added.

“I have had no inquiries for Craig or anyone thus far. I am not looking to get rid of anyone if I’m honest, but if a silly offer comes in then it is something we have to look at given the current economic climate.”

And the chances of any fresh faces coming in to the squad - following the departure of loan men Damien Scannell and Eric Odhiambo - hang on the progress of Scott’s injured stars.

“Gary Smith is making progress, but is a way off yet. Ross Montague is out for the season with cruciate damage, while Adam Newton and John Halls are still feeling their way back,” he said.

“We have to see how long term they are all likely to be.”