Ivan Toney is closing in on a return from injury after sitting out the last two Premier League games for Brentford.
The England forward was benched for the 3-3 draw with Aston Villa earlier this month due to a hip problem, making a late cameo in the game.
Toney was left on the bench for the 2-0 win over Sheffield United last Saturday, and despite Thomas Frank‘s hopes he would be fit for this weekend, he was left out of the squad the 5-0 drubbing of Luton Town on Saturday.
Speaking after the final whistle, Frank revealed that the Bees are hoping he will return to the matchday squad next weekend when they travel to Goodison Park to play Everton.
“My aim and hope is that Ivan is ready and available for Everton,” he told BBC Match of the Day.
Despite missing their star striker, Brentford had no problem finding the net on Saturday. A first-half brace from Yoane Wissa and goals from Ethan Pinnock, Keane Lewis-Potter and Kevin Schade saw the west London outfit score five in a top-flight game for the first time in their history.
“So pleasing for Wissa, scoring two goals, I was very happy for that,” Frank said. “Keane also and Schade from the bench. Bryan was unlucky not to score but he assisted two.”
The result extends Brentford’s unbeaten run to five games. But more importantly, it means they are five points away from the magic number 40 that will all but confirm their place in the Premier League for another season.
“We knew that playing against Luton who were seven points below us, it was a big day. We want to keep this momentum going into next season,” said Frank.
“There’s a very important game against Everton but this league is crazy and relentless. On a season when it’s not going your way then it can be very difficult.”
