Ivan Toney is looking forward to “repaying” Brentford when he makes his long-awaited return later this month.
Toney has not played since May after being found guilty by the Football Association of breaching 232 rules relating to gambling but is set to make his comeback in the home game with Nottingham Forest on January 20.
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The 27-year-old striker says he is indebted to Brentford – and manager Thomas Frank, in particular – for the way they have stood by him throughout his absence.
He told Sky Sports News: “Thomas Frank has been nothing but the biggest help I could have asked for – the whole club has.
“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. 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.
“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 team-mates.”
Toney admits he has found it difficult being away from the game and hinted he still believes the sanction to be unfair.
He added: “I didn’t watch football for a while. In a way I punished myself. There was a stage I probably did fall out of love with football.
“Missing games and not being around my team-mates was tough. I was confused but what’s done is done now, I can’t dwell on these things. Life’s not fair, we know this, the more you dwell on it the more it’s going to hurt you.”
Brentford have struggled recently and are in the middle of a run of one win in nine games in all competitions. They sit 16th in the Premier League table, just four points above the relegation zone.
