IVAN TONEY has scored his first two goals since joining Saudi side Al-Ahli this summer.
The ex-Brentford striker, who earns £400,000-per-week, is working to get back into the new England fold under interim boss Lee Carsley.
Toney sent a clear message to his doubters after grabbing a brace and an assist in his third appearance for the Saudi Pro League side, as they claimed a 4-2 win over Damac.
After Damac drew level from his assisted opener, Toney put his side 2-1 up immediately after half-time with his first goal for the club.
The 28-year-old showed his poaching qualities as he prodded the ball home from six yards out.
Damac drew the game level again, before former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino put Al-Ahli ahead in the eighth minute of injury time.
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Toney then tapped in his second eight minutes later – and 15 minutes into added time.
VAR ruled that he was not offside for his close range finish that wrapped up the win.
The result means that Al Ahli now have seven points from four games, leaving them fifth and one point behind Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr.
Toney completed a £40million transfer to the Saudi Arabian side from Brentford on deadline day.
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He signed a two-year contract to seal the switch, and is said to be earning more than £400,000 a week tax free – a figure that rises to nearly £500,000 with bonuses.
An eye-watering upgrade from his time at the Community Stadium, where he was on less than £50,000 a week.
The Northampton-born talisman has already netted a more than £1million since joining over three weeks ago.
The England forward was denied the chance to open his account earlier this week when former Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez took the penalty against Persepolis in the AFC Champions League.
Mahrez’s strike from 12 yards was subsequently saved.
Toney was left out of Carsley’s latest Uefa Nations League squad for their victories over the Republic of Ireland and Finland, raising doubts over his international future.
But Carsley refused to rule out a return to the Three Lions side.
The ex-England U21 boss said: “I think ultimately as an interim head coach I don’t think I can rule anyone in or out.
“It would be really interesting to go out and see Ivan play and see the level and see the tempo and see the standard.
“We’ve got access to the games so I’ll definitely be following his progression out there.
“It would be good to go and see an actual live game to get a feel of the atmosphere and the pace of the game because sometimes you don’t quite get that on a video.”
Despite Carsley’s reassurance, some will point to Jordan Henderson’s six month Saudi era as a warning about the prospects of a Three Lions return.
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The six-capped England international marginally made the Euro 2024 squad amid the tough competition in forward areas.
He played just 43 minutes across seven games in Germany – but assisted Harry Kane’s headed winner over Slovakia and scored a no-look penalty Switzerland.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
