BRENTFORD have been given a boost ahead of this Saturday's local derby with QPR in a Division Two promotion tussle at Loftus Road as star defender Ibrahima Sonko has finally signed a contract until the end of the season (writes TONY FLOOD).

The Senegalese Under 21 international, regarded as the best centre-half in Division Two, has negotiated an option for a further season.

Brentford chief scout John Griffin, who arranged for Sonko to club to the club after a recommendation from an agent, says: "When we lost Darren Powell we thought it would be a big blow, but Ibrahima is virtually a carbon copy."

Fellow centre-back Leo Roget should be fit to return for the Christmas fixtures after which his contract runs out.

There have been no further developments in Brentford's bid to sign striker Lee Bradbury on loan from Portsmouth as he, too, has been injured. Norman Sylla, the 27-goal Banbury striker who Brentford decided not to sign after giving a trial recently, has since been on trial at Chelsea and has played for their reserves.

The Bees have leapfrogged QPR to climb to sixth place and victory tomorrow will keep them in the play-off places. But Brentford have the worst scoring record of the top seven, with only 27 goals - one less than QPR - so there could be a repeat of last season's two 0-0 draws.

Brentford have been drawn at home to Cambridge United in the LDV Vans Southern Area semi-final, whilst in the other semi-final Bournemouth play Bristol City at Dean Court. The game is expected to take place on Tuesday January 21st. In the Northern Area semi-finals Carlisle United entertain Bury and Shrewsbury are home to Crewe.