Rhodes wins contract despite serious injury

Brentford winger Alex Rhodes will miss the rest of the season after he was diagnosed with serious damage to a cruciate knee ligament.

The 22-year-old is said to be " devastated" having only recently forced his way into Martin Allen's starting lineup.

Allen has moved to soften the blow by offering Rhodes - who is out of contract in the summer - a new oneyear deal.

The Brentford manager said: "He will be out for a long time but it is too early to estimate the length of his rehabilitation. I will be offering him a new contract even though he has this injury.

"I could not sleep at night if I turned my back on a player who was injured while wholeheartedly committing himself on the pitch for this football club. He is upset and, it's fair to say, devastated. But on the other hand, he has been told that he will come back to full fitness a better person and a better player with a career ahead of him."

Rhodes, who was signed from Newmarket Town by previous manager Wally Downes, scored a crucial goal on the final day of last season to stave off possible relegation.

Meanwhile, Allen will make his debut in a Brentford shirt as he leads a team of supporters against the club's first team in a fundraising match at Griffin Park tonight. He said: "Every week I feel like getting out there and playing so it will be nice to finally do so. My aim is one goal and one yellow card."

Each member of the supporters' team - which Allen will manage - has paid to be part of the squad.