11 months ago
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Ivan Toney has nearly served his lengthy betting ban as the striker gears up for an emotional return to Brentford next week.
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.
When can Ivan Toney play again?
Toney can restart his senior career on Wednesday, January 17.
Unfortunately for Toney, that is slap-bang in the middle of the Premier League's winter break after the festive period.
Even Brentford's FA Cup third-round replay against Wolves, due to be held during the break, has been scheduled for Tuesday - the day before Toney's ban expires meaning he won't be involved.
The earliest the Bees can get their star forward back on the pitch is their home clash with Nottingham Forest on Saturday, January 20th.
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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."
