Frank admits Swansea game was on his mind long before the end of Sunday's FA Cup defeat to Foxes

Thomas Frank conceded he was happy to rest a raft of first-teamers in Sunday's FA Cup clash with Leicester, so they can be fresh for Wednesday's Championship match at Swansea.

Like last season against the same opponents in the FA Cup, the Bees boss was reluctant to play his strongest hand, with league points and a possible promotion the priority.

So he did not even send on first-team regulars like Henrik Dalsgaard and Rico Henry from the bench to chase the game once the Bees trailed early in the second half.

"We want to win every game and I put a team out there that I think was strong enough to compete and I think you could see that, especially the first half," Frank said after his side's exit from the competition following a 3-1 defeat to the Premier League Foxes.

"It was similar to how we played against Southampton and West Brom and these teams in the League Cup, where we won.

The substitutions I made I would have done differently if we were leading 1-0, because it's always good to continue that winning mentality or good performance and feeling - but if not, then OK we keep them fresh for Wednesday.

"It was good to get 90 minutes into Mads Roerslev, who is a very important player for us, Jan Zamburek played 80 minutes very good, Fin Stevens a youngster at 17 years old, after adjusting in the first 10 minutes, he did well, as did Marcus Forss up top."

Frank added: "I think we delivered a decent performance - especially the first half. Very pleased with that.

"Leicester started better the first 10 minutes but then I think we grew into the game and we did well, taking the lead.

"We talked about [how] they would start fast second half but a bit of magic by James Maddison - and what a player, by the way - and a short corner where we haven't reacted quick enough results in a soft penalty.

"After that, it was not game over but it's difficult to come back against a team third in the Premier League and a team that is well drilled and really well coached.

"We lost to a better side than us, but it was a good experience."