Brentford’s Ivan Toney is all set to return to Premier League action for the first time in over nine months as he prepares for the Nottingham Forest clash on Saturday (Jan 20). Toney, banned for nine months from all on-field football-related activity for breach of betting rules in the country recently completed his suspension. The return will also see him come back into the squad as team captain with Christian Norgaard absent.

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Brentford set for Toney boost

“He’s buzzing like an Under-8,” the Bees boss Thomas Frank said when questioned about Toney’s prospective return.

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“I’m looking into the eyes of a very committed player. He will start tomorrow [against Nottingham Forest] and will captain the side. I’m pretty sure he’s ready. He’s a special character, a fantastic person to be around. The energy he brings, the smile, the positivity, is a massive thing. He drags people – he wants to win. It’s a massive boost. It’s like a new signing. There’s an argument for him being the second-best striker in the league, in my opinion,” the boss further added.

The clash at Brentford will be his first in nine months having last played against Liverpool in May when his side lost 1-0. He was then barred from participating in senior club activities and was also ordered community service after being found guilty of the offences. He was allowed back to training in September and has played closed-door matches. He also reportedly scored a hat-trick in a friendly against Southampton in a U-23 game.

Toney’s absence has been severally felt by the club as they have struggled to keep pace with other teams in the league. They have scored 26 goals in 19 matches so far in the Premier League and sit three points above the drop zone. Toney’s return to the team could also be a good sign for the side who have lost five consecutive matches in the Premier League and were recently knocked out of the FA Cup.

The match between Brentford and Nottingham Forest will be played on Saturday at the Gtech Community Stadium with only one point separating both sides.

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