Brentford’s Thomas Frank has revealed that there is “a plan” for Ivan Toney’s return to training as he continues to serve an eight-month ban.
Toney has been suspended since mid-May due to being found guilty of breaching FA betting rules but despite his eight-month ban from football ending in January, he has been allowed to resume training next week.
“He will be able to join the group, of course,” explained Frank who confirmed that Toney will participate in first-team training despite not being allowed to play in matches across the remainder of his ban.
Frank also clarified that he has set out a training plan for Toney in order to focus on his weaknesses during this suspension, in order to ensure that the striker is ready to return and hit the ground running competitively in mid-January.
Explaining what will exactly await Toney in the coming weeks, Frank commented: “We have made a plan for him for the next 16 weeks, and that will change once we get closer to when he can play in the team.
“We’ll try to work on his strength and some other areas for development. It’s longer than a six-week pre-season, so there is time. He knows that we want the best for him, and that we are there for him.”
The 49 year-old Dane also spoke of the importance of having Toney on the training pitches, as he added: “For us it’s very good to have him back. He’s a very good player, but more importantly an important person to have around the group.
“He’s training hard, he’s very positive and he’ll bring a lot of energy.
“He’s very happy to be allowed to come back in and play football and to be around his team-mates.”
On how the first-team will respond to Toney’s return to training, Frank said: “It will give us a lift. Of course, we’d prefer to have him in the team, but that’s not possible. To have him with us every day is going to be positive, definitely.”
Frank also spoke of his pride at Toney’s progress and why he is a role model as he concluded: “I’m proud of Ivan, massively – the journey he’s been on, the resilience he’s shown throughout his life and the progress he’s made. He should be an example for a lot of footballers, with what he’s achieved.”
Toney is set to return on 16 January and his first match back in the first-team could come at hom to Nottingham Forest, should that game be scheduled for weekend of 19-22 January within the split Premier League round.