Thomas Frank expects Tottenham to prove a stern challenge despite the absence of Bayern-bound star striker Harry Kane.

The Bees welcome their London rivals to the Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday as they embark on their third season in the Premier League looking to improve on last season’s ninth-place finish.

It was just one point and one place behind Spurs, who missed out on European football but are under new management in the form of former Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou.

And Frank insisted his side will be face a tough task in West London despite the uncertainty around who will lead the line for the visitors.

“It will be a very difficult game, but we also know that we are a good team,” said Frank.

“We know that we are difficult to handle at home and we will do everything we can to come flying out and attack with the backing of our fans."

“He [Kane] is a fantastic player, an unbelievable striker. I went to the Shakhtar game, and he scored four goals.

“But the alternative is Richarlison, who was Brazil’s number-one striker during the World Cup.

“I don’t think it will change the way they play [if Kane is absent], although [Kane and Richarlison] are two different types.

“Tottenham are one of the biggest clubs in the world. They are a very good team with fantastic players.

“They have appointed an exciting coach in Ange. What he did at Celtic was very impressive, and what he’s trying to do now at Tottenham looks exciting.”

Postecoglou is just one of a number of new bosses in the top flight, with fellow West Londoners Chelsea appointing Mauricio Pochettino in an attempt to recover from their shock 12th-place finish last term.

It has seen sides above Brentford spend more eye-watering sums on players this summer, but that has not dented the Dane’s ambitions to continue to look up rather than down.

"Last year we had the second lowest budget, so it was a miracle what we did,” he added.

“The Premier League is getting more competitive.We are not satisfied with just surviving.

“We want to be an asset to the Premier League but there’s a minimum criteria to stay in the Premier League.”

Frank has enjoyed a largely settled squad this summer despite the absence of Ivan Toney, with centre-back Nathan Collins the biggest arrival at £23m.
Goalkeeper Mark Flekken has also arrived with last season’s number one David Raya expected to complete a move to Arsenal.

Frank said: “I expect [David Raya's] deal will be completed with Arsenal.

“He’s not here at the moment and won’t be involved on Sunday.”

Brentford will also be without star striker Toney as the England international continues to serve his ban for breaching betting rules, but Bryan Mbeumo has won his fitness race to start on Sunday.

Plenty of hopes are being pinned on the Cameroon international to fill the void left by Toney, but Frank is confident the squad as a whole will step up.

"The players that will step in for Ivan, played the last four games without him,” he added.

“I have big confidence that [Yoane] Wissa, Kevin Schade, and Bryan Mbeumo could step in and score goals.

“I also want other players to step up and score goals.”