Carabao Cup: Fredrick ready to make Brentford debut against Reading

Super Eagles defender Benjamin Fredrick will make his competitive debut for Brentford when they take on Reading in tonight’s Carabao Cup clash.

Fredrick joined Brentford from the Simoiben Football Academy on loan in August 2023 before the Premier League club made the move permanent in April 2024.

The 21-year-old was first included in Brentford’s senior squad in January 2024, when he was named among the substitutes for the FA Cup match against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Brentford manager Keith Andrews has now confirmed that Fredrick is expected to play against Reading.

“He hasn’t played much football. We decided not to play him yesterday (Sunday) in the B team game to make sure he was in the right place to be available today,” Andrews said during his pre-match press conference.

Read also:Fredrick, delighted with the new agreement with Brentford, hopes to make his debut in the Premier League

“I anticipate he will be involved.”

Fredrick spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Belgian side Dender EH, where he continued his development.

However, his season was cut short after suffering an injury while on international duty with Nigeria in November.

The setback ruled him out for the rest of the campaign and also caused him to miss the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where the Super Eagles finished third.

Having completed his recovery, Fredrick is now in line for his long-awaited competitive debut for Brentford against Reading.

By Adeboye Amosu