Striker Charlie MacDonald said he had been chomping at the bit to get back on the pitch after a five-month lay-off with a shoulder injury.

The 28-year-old came on for the last quarter of Brentford's 2-0 defeat to Charlton Athletic and said it had been a "long time coming".

It was his first appearance since damaging his shoulder in a match against Gillingham at the end of March and he said it was "great" to get back out there.

He said: "It's great to be back playing with the boys. Seeing the last few games I have been chomping at the bit.

"When I went to see the surgeon [after the initial injury] he said it was a minimum of six months out.

"But he said with intense rehab and lots of hard work I could get back sooner.

"Once he said that, and as I have never had a long term injury, I did everything I could."

MacDonald explained that he is playing with a brace on his shoulder to stop further injuries and he expected to play for the reserves in a match against QPR at Griffin Park on Tuesday.

And he was full of praise for the Charlton side that handed The Bees their first defeat of the season at The Valley.

"We are not going to be playing Charlton Athletic every week," said the former Addicks striker. "They have the best midfield in the league, there won't be teams that come here and dominate possession.

"We were all over the place with the goals.

"Second half we worked more as a unit and had a couple of opportunities.

"It wouldn't surprise me if Charlton ran away with the league.

"It's a good test for the boys and we now need to keep doing what the gaffer wants us to do.

"I have seen enough to know we will be OK in this league."

See a full video interview with Charlie MacDonald on Bees Player on Sunday.

By Chris Wickham