Ivan Toney with delicious flick before scoring in behind-closed-doors friendly for Brentford
Ivan Toney scored in a behind-closed-doors friendly Brentford in his first unofficial appearance since being banned over breaking betting rules.
The striker starred up front for Brentford B as they played out a 2-2 draw against Italian side Como at AFC Wimbledon's ground, the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
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And he proved he has not lost his goalscoring touch with a delightful finish.
After a ball was put over the top for Toney to chase, he flicked it past the goalkeeper with a delightful touch.
Toney took another touch to set himself with the goal at his mercy but an increasingly difficult angle.
But that was no problem for the England international, who nonchalantly tucked the ball home with his left foot.
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The 27-year-old played 61 minutes in the friendly in what has been his first appearance he has made on a football pitch since he was banned in May for eight months.
It saw him prevented from playing competitive football for the duration of the ban, which will expire in January.
However, he was allowed to return to training after four months, including non-competitive friendlies.
Toney admitted to 232 breaches of the Football Association’s betting rules, which also saw him fined £50,000.
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He returned to training on September 18 and has since ramped up his fitness by appearing in Tuesday afternoon's friendly.
Zanka, Saman Ghoddos, Frank Onyeka, Yehor Yarmoliuk and Neal Maupay were the other first-team players to be in the side.
Toney could make his competitive return to Brentford on January 30, when they play Tottenham.
However, that could change depending on scheduling alterations and Brentford's progress in the FA Cup.
It could also depend on whether Toney is still with the Bees by then, as well.
Arsenal and Chelsea are among the Premier League sides interested in the former Newcastle star's services, as well as Tottenham.
All three London outfits are keen on signing a striker in a position that the trio have been lacking firepower in recently.
Tottenham lost Harry Kane in the summer to Bayern Munich, Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus have been guilty of profligacy at Arsenal while Chelsea's woes in front of goal are well-documented.
And with the January transfer window open at the time of his return from the ban, Brentford could see their star man depart.
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