Ivan Toney breaks silence on Brentford future ahead of imminent return to football

Ivan Toney has revealed he is ready to help propel Brentford away from a relegation battle ahead of his return to competitive football.

The striker was handed an eight-month ban in May 2023 after breaching betting regulations, but he has since been heavily linked with moves across London to Arsenal and Chelsea. Brentford have been adamant that it would take an astronomical figure for them to consider selling Toney.

Toney's ban will be lifted on January 17 and he will be available for selection again when the Bees welcome Nottingham Forest to the Gtech Community Stadium three days later. His last goal came in this fixture towards the end of the 2022/23 season.

In Toney's absence, Brentford have struggled to kick on and have been dragged into a relegation dogfight after losing seven of their last eight Premier League games. Fellow forwards Bryan Mbeumo and Kevin Schade are out with long-term injuries, while Yoane Wissa is away at the Africa Cup of Nations.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Toney spoke of his appreciation for Brentford and said he was relishing the opportunity to help them beat the drop, suggesting he will be staying at the club for the rest of the season.

"The club was right behind me from the first bit. The fans were behind me, which was a massive part," Toney said.

"Even when I wasn't at their games, they were singing my name. And I got loads of messages on social media. 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.

"Everyone knows Brentford is a family club, they have been nothing but amazing for me. 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.

"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. I can't wait to get back and be helping my teammates."

When asked if he felt the pressure of trying to help Brentford stave off relegation, Toney replied: "Not really no. It's not pressure, it's just excitement to get back on the pitch.

"Everybody at Brentford knows I will do my best to try and get the club out of the sticky patch we're in. But there's no pressure and even if there was, I wouldn't feel it and that's what drives me forward.

"Brentford, we've been here before and we know how to get out of it."

Toney also revealed how head coach Thomas Frank, captain Christian Norgaard and previous skipper Pontus Jansson have helped him during his time away from the game.

"Thomas Frank has been nothing but the biggest help I could have asked for - the whole club has," Toney said.

"From putting on extra sessions 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. These kind of things, I have a lot to repay them and I can't wait to try and do that.

"I can go through the whole team who sent me messages. Especially the captain who was there before, Pontus, talking to me about the whole situation.

"Christian Norgaard too. He sat me down and said: 'How are you? How are you in yourself? Is everything OK?' And that meant a lot, for someone to actually sit me down and ask me that question.

"My personality is a strong personality and I always am this bubbly person. But for someone to actually sit you down and ask you, even though I'm always good - and even when I'm not good, I will be good - it meant a lot because it showed he actually cared.

"All the other teammates have been messaging me so for him to come up to me, being a big personality, meant a lot."

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