Brentford forward Ivan Toney has expressed relief at being able to return to football this week after serving an eight-month suspension for breaching England Football Association betting rules.
The 27-year-old striker was hit with a record 262 charges of breaching FA gambling regulations in May 2022. He admitted to the charges and was banned in October, ruling him out until January 2023.
Toney has been a key player for Brentford since joining the club in 2020, scoring 32 goals in his first 64 English Premier League appearances. His return will come as a major boost to manager Thomas Frank as the Bees battle relegation this season.
Posting on social media on Wednesday, Toney suggested he was looking forward to pulling on a Brentford shirt again in Saturday’s clash with Nottingham Forest. “Free!” he wrote, with his club also welcoming him back into the fold.
Toney will be eager to pick up where he left off last season and repay Brentford for their steadfast support during his suspension. He has previously spoken of his determination to give back to the club and fans who stood by him.
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