10 months ago
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Brentford star Ivan Toney will make an emotional return to football this weekend having officially served his lengthy betting ban.
Toney has not featured since a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool on May 6 after being handed an eight-month ban for breaching betting rules.
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The England star was unable to train with his Bees teammates for the first three months of his suspension as per the conditions of the ban and instead worked out alone this summer.
The 27-year-old returned to the club's Robert Rowan Performance Centre on Monday, September 18.
He scored in a behind-closed-doors friendly for Brentford B in a 2-2 draw against Italian side Como over a week later in his first unofficial outing.
On Saturday, Toney scored a hat-trick for Brentford's B team in a 5-1 victory over Southampton's Under-23s as he closes in on a return.
Can Ivan Toney play this weekend?
Yes, Toney can feature for Brentford against Nottingham Forest on Saturday after his ban ended on Wednesday, January 17.
Bees boss Thomas Frank is relishing his star man's return and revealed that not only Toney start, but he will also take on the armband.
On the striker's mood before his return, he said: "He's is bossing it, like an eight-year-old boy who just wants to go out and play his first football game, just that joy of playing football. I'm looking into the eyes of a player who is very committed, excited and can't wait."
Asked whether Toney is ready to play the full game, Frank added: "I think so. You never know.
"There will be extra adrenaline and excitement. He will run around like he has never run before. He's always fighting for the team.
"His first league game but he is very fit and has played in-house games and played 90 there.
"I’m sure the excitement and adrenaline will do the rest."
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Toney, who admitted in August training away from his teammates made him feel like he was in football prison, is now itching to return.
"Everyone knows Brentford is a family club, they have been nothing but amazing for me," he said in an interview with Sky Sports.
"I can't thank them enough, especially the fans. They were behind me from the first minute as well. So it's kind of like I have a lot to repay."
"They're struggling at the moment but I'm sure when I'm back I will play a big part to get them out of the losing form they've been in. I can't wait to get back and be helping my teammates."
