Brentford defender James Tarkowski has praised the influence of former Scotland international David Weir on his career.

The 23-year-old established himself at the heart of Brentford’s defence this term as the Championship new boys qualified for the play-offs at the first attempt.

Weir will quit the club this week along with departing boss Mark Warburton, having played a ket part in the club’s success this term.

Tarkowski signed from Oldham Athletic in January 2014 and becamse an immediate regular in the starting line-up.

And he knows who to thank for that.

“The higher you get in football, people punish your mistakes,” he said.

“David [Weir] has been a top pro and has played at the highest level in my position.

“To have him about since I’ve been here has been unbelievable. He has taught me so much.

“We have a good relationship where we can talk about mistakes I have made and the things I’ve been doing right and the things I’ve been doing wrong.

“He is always giving me advice on and off the pitch about how I can progress and get my career to the highest level I can.”

He added: “Knowing the gaffer and David would be out of a job in the summer brought the squad together and spurred us on.

“We knew if we did well it would be better for them.”

Saturday is Warburton’s official final day at the Bees with 43-year-old Marinus Dijkhuizen, head coach at Dutch Eredivisie minnows Excelsior, hotly tipped to be named as his successor at Griffin Park.

Dijkhuizen kept Excelsior – who have the smallest stadium in the Eredivisie at 4,000 seats – in the Dutch top flght at the first attempt after winning promotion in 2014, playing an attractive brand of counter-attacking football.

Brentford's loan stars - including Sam Saunders and Nic Yennaris - have been told they are welcome to return to Griffin Park for pre-season training where they will hope to impress the new head coach.

Bees development squad defender Alfie Mawson, who collected a cleansweep of player of the year awards while on a season-long loan at Wycombe Wanderers, is reportered to be considering a permanent switch to Adams Park.

While, England U20 international Moses Odubajo is reported to be attracting attention from Premier League outfit Everton.