Toney to captain Brentford on return from eight-month FA ban،
Brentford head coach Thomas Frank says Ivan Toney will captain the team when the striker makes his return from an eight-month suspension against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday.
Toney's has been suspended from all football-related activity by the English Football Association (FA) after being accused of a total of 262 breaches of the governing body's betting rules.
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The 27-year-old's ban was finally eased after he was diagnosed with a gambling addiction, allowing him to train and play behind closed doors in friendlies for Brentford B in preparation for his return to the first team.
He's excited like an eight-year-old boy who wants to go out and play his first football match. It's pure joy,” the Brentford manager told a press conference.
“I look into the eyes of a very committed and very excited player. I will say it now that he will start tomorrow, and that he will also lead the team out of the tunnel as captain.
Toney scored 20 goals in 30 league appearances last season before being banned by the FA.
The striker's return couldn't come at a better time with the club in 16th place, three points above the relegation zone and one point behind 15th-placed Forest.
Not only this week, the last three and a half years, he's a special character in many ways, he's a fantastic person to be around myself, the staff, the players, the energy he brings, the smile, the positivity on the training pitch,” Frank said.
On the pitch he wants to win, he wants to help the team, of course it's a huge boost. He's like a new signing. He's the second best striker in the Premier League in my opinion. “
A worry for Frank is that with the January transfer window still open, Toney could be attracted by a big offer from Chelsea and Arsenal who are interested in a move for the England international, according to sources. 'ESPN.
“As I said earlier in these conferences, it is 99% that he will stay here but football is crazy, you never know what will happen tomorrow,” Frank said.
“He’s committed to helping the team, that’s all he has in mind, he wants to stay here, he wants to help the team.”
Frank also confirmed that left-back Sergio Reguilón is available for selection after signing for Brentford on loan from Tottenham on Wednesday while the club's regular captain Christian Nørgaard is absent due to injury.
Information from Reuters contributed to this report
