Allen not worried over pitch 'fit to graze cows on'

Brentford have been warned to expect one of the worst pitches in senior football when they face Hinckley United on Sunday.

The Conference North club are moving to a new stadium next month and will be staging the last-ever FA Cup tie at their ramshackle Middlefield Lane ground.

Hinckley manager Dean Thomas recently described the pitch as being fit to graze cows on, while captain Stuart Storer said: "I've heard that Brentford have been training in parks in an attempt to replicate our surface. They should have found a ploughed field instead, park pitches are far too good."

But Martin Allen played down worries over the conditions.

The Brentford manager said: "We've had the pitch checked out, it is not the best.

"But a lot of our players have come from non-League and should be able to adapt. I can't see it being a major problem."

Brentford are without suspended striker Deon Burton for the second-round clash, but Isaiah Rankin is expected to return after being rested for last week's 2-0 defeat at Hull. Midfielder Stewart Talbot is also available following a one-match ban.