IVAN TONEY has spoken out about his return to football following his eight-month ban.
The Brentford star was banned after he admitted to 232 breaches of FA betting regulations.
After a lengthy spell away from football, Toney is now set to return to the pitch for Brentford this weekend after his ban came to an end on January 17.
The England international has opened up about what it was like to be away from the action for that long and explained he felt guilty for the impact it had on his family too.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “The weekends are when my whole family travel down to watch me play football.
“Missing that for eight months – it was painful. Painful for me knowing that I had kind of ruined their weekend.
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“But I just can’t wait to hopefully repay them [my family] in the next games and hopefully pick up where I left off, get the goals back under my belt and give them something to be smiling and happy about.”
Toney was firing on all cylinders before he was banned and will be hoping he can return to his previous form and help the Bees climb up the table as they flirt with the relegation zone.
The 27-year-old was pressed about not being there to help the side for the best part of the year, but said there was enough talent in the squad to deal without him.
When asked if he felt guilty about not being able to play, he said: “Yeah, to a certain extent.
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“But I think things happen in life and you take it on the chin and you move forward with it.
“I feel like yes, I should have been playing and helping the team to perform well, but there’s obviously good players in the team and they also have a role to do and step in when needed.
“Obviously I do feel kind of bad but it is what it is. I can’t dwell on it too much as I can’t change it.
“What’s done is done, but like I say with my family I feel like I’ve ruined their weekends but hopefully I can put on a show.”
Brentford face Nottingham Forest on Saturday and Toney could be thrust straight back into the action by Bees boss Thomas Frank.
The former Newcastle striker has been able to train using Brentford’s facilities since September 17 and has even been taking part in a number of games for the club’s B team in preparation for his return.
Toney will have one eye firmly set on earning a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad ahead of the Euros in Germany this summer too.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
