Brentford: Ivan Toney wants to repay Thomas Frank and club for support during ban

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Ivan Toney in action for Brentford in the Premier LeagueImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Ivan Toney scored 20 goals in 33 Premier League appearances last season

Brentford striker Ivan Toney says he wants to repay manager Thomas Frank and the club for their support during his eight-month suspension.

England international Toney was banned in May for 232 breaches of Football Association betting rules.

The 27-year-old could make his return at home to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on 20 January.

"Thomas Frank has been nothing but the biggest help I could have asked for," Toney told Sky Sports.

"The whole club has - from putting extra sessions on for me, from taking their time out to put a session on and go outside when it's raining, when they're not supposed to be in.

"I have a lot to repay them and I can't wait to try and do that.

"The fans were behind me. Even when I wasn't at their games, they were singing my name.

"A friend of mine sent me a video of the fans singing my name. I got goosebumps to know that they're still behind me, even though I'm not there."

Toney scored 20 league goals last season as Brentford finished ninth.

However, they are currently on a five-game losing run and are 16th in the table.

Toney has been linked with a move to Arsenal or Chelsea, although Frank has said it will take an "unbelievable" offer for Brentford to sell him.

Toney played 75 minutes for Brentford's B team against Southampton Under-23s on Saturday, scoring a hat-trick in a 5-1 win.

"With Brentford, 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," Toney said.

Image source, BBC Sport
Image source, BBC Sport