Bees boss Andy Scott is set to step up efforts to bring in a new centre-back after Alan Bennett limped off with a groin injury in Tuesday’s 2-1 triumph over Norwich City.

Youngster Karleigh Osborne deputised for the Irishman - who departed the action midway through the first half - and put in a solid display after a shaky start alongside Mark Phillips.

But Scott, who has been linked with Bristol City’s James Wilson recently, admits Bennett’s absence has increased the urgency to bring in re-enforcements at the back.

And, despite Phillips delivering an accomplished second-half display to shut out the threat of Grant Holt, the Griffin Park chief hopes to have a fresh face in sooner rather than later.

“The urgency was already there and I’ve spoken to a club today and am hopeful that we may have a centre half or defender in by the weekend,” he said on Tuesday night.

“I gave Mark Phillips a bit of a rocket at half time to be honest. That was already in place and now has some urgency because Alan’s injury looks pretty serious, but Karleigh came in and performed ever so well after settling down.

“I gave Mark Phillips a bit of a rocket at half time to be honest. With Danny Foster and Karleigh and Dicko, alongside him none are that experienced and he had to be the leader.

“Mark hasn’t played a bundle of games, but he is a good player who has played at a good level and in the second half he organised well and we dealt with Grant Holt extremely well.”