January 19 – Ivan Toney will captain Brentford at home to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday as the striker makes his return from an eight-month ban for gambling violations.
The 27-year-old will take the captain’s armband in the absence of the injured Christian Norgaard when Brentford host Nottingham Forest .
Toney this week completed a suspension imposed after he admitted to 232 breaches of the English Football Association’s betting rules.
“He will start tomorrow and he will also lead the team out of the tunnel, he will be the captain,” said Brentford manager Thomas Frank
Frank, whose side have drifted into the relegation battle in Toney’s absence, said it was a massive boost to have him back. “I’m looking into the eyes of a player who is very committed, very excited.”
Toney, who scored 20 goals in 30 league appearances last season, has been widely linked with a move to either Arsenal of Chelsea but Frank declared: “It’s 99 point something that he will stay here but football is crazy, you never know what will happen tomorrow, he’s committed to helping the team.”
Bookmakers have Toney to score on his return at 5/4 – a piece of action Toney won’t be part of.
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