Thomas Frank has confirmed that Ivan Toney will captain Brentford on his return from suspension this weekend.
Toney is available for selection for the first time this season after serving an eight-month ban for breaching gambling regulations.
The 27-year-old’s return is a timely boost for a Brentford team battling against relegation, with the Bees having lost seven of their last eight Premier League games.
Toney scored 20 goals in the Premier League last season and Frank has revealed he will start the striker against Nottingham Forest. The Brentford boss said Toney is ‘very excited’ to return and will lead out the West Londoners as captain.
“He’s bossing. He’s like an eight-year old-boy, he just wants to go out and play. Just that pure joy of playing football,” Frank said at his pre-match press conference.
“I’m looking into the eyes of a player who is very committed, very excited. He will start tomorrow, he will lead the team out, he’ll be the captain. I’m pretty sure he’ll be ready.”
“I think so. You’ll never know,” Frank added on whether the forward would be able to complete the 90 minutes.
“There’ll be extra adrenaline in him. He’s always fighting hard for the team. It will be his first Premier League game but he’s fit. The excitement and adrenaline will do the rest.”
Toney has been linked with a move away from Brentford this month with Arsenal and Chelsea among the clubs rumoured to be interested, though Frank said the Bees have received no offers and that the England international remains committed to the club.
