Ivan Toney scored a hat-trick for Brentford in a behind-closed-doors friendly less than a fortnight before he is able to return from his eight-month betting ban.
The striker was suspended by the Football Association after admitting to 232 breaches of their gambling rules but will mark his first-team comeback this month.
His lengthy ban will end on January 16, meaning Toney will be available for the club’s next Premier League match against Nottingham Forest on January 20.
He is also allowed to play games provided they are behind closed doors.
Ivan Toney scored a hat-trick for Brentford in a behind-closed-doors friendly this weekend
The striker is gearing up for his first-team return after serving an eight-month betting ban
The 27-year-old was handed invaluable minutes for the club’s B team on Saturday and netted three goals in an impressive 5-1 victory over Southampton’s U23s.
The ace took just four minutes to find the back of the net after converting Kyreece Lisbie’s delivery at the near post and then notched his second from a free-kick.
Toney rounded off his hat-trick on 55 minutes after turning home a fine cross.
Shortly after, he turned from scorer to provider, teeing up Iwan Morgan to score Brentford’s fourth of the afternoon before being taken off 15 minutes from time.
Thomas Frank’s side have lost their last five successive league games and will hope that Toney, their top scorer last season, can propel them away from the drop zone.
Boss Frank believes it would take a staggering offer to prise Toney away this month.
Toney (second from right) was involved in four goals in Brentford B’s win over Southampton
Thomas Frank has insisted it would take a staggering offer to prise Toney away this month
Asked if Toney would stay, Frank said: ‘The very short answer is yes.
‘He is a Brentford player. He is here, we miss a few offensive players and I cannot see why we should sell him. I would love to have him here for a long time.
‘It is not for me to discuss (an offer), but if I could ever recommend one, it would need to be an unbelievable price, so he will stay here.’
Toney could mark his comeback sooner than expected. After Brentford’s 1-1 draw with Wolves in the FA Cup third round, a replay will now have to be scheduled.
He has scored 68 goals in his 124 appearances for the west London side.
