Ivan Toney will start for Brentford against Nottingham Forest and captain the team in his first game back after his gambling ban.

The England international, 27, was banned from all of football for eight months in July over 232 breaches of the Football Association’s betting rules.

The suspension expired on Tuesday and manager Thomas Frank has confirmed he will return from the start when his side host Forest at the Brentford Community Stadium on Saturday night.

Asked how the striker is feeling ahead of his return, Frank said: “He is buzzing. He is like an eight-year-old boy who just wants to go out and play maybe his first football game.

“Just that pure joy of playing football. I’m looking into the eyes of a player who are very committed, excited.

“I can break it now he will start tomorrow and he will also lead the team out of the tunnel and be the captain as Christian (Norgaard) is injured.”

Toney has been a central figure at Brentford since signing from Peterborough United in August 2020 for £5million, having directly been involved in 89 goals across 124 appearances.

The game will mark 259 days since his last competitive match but Frank believes he is capable of playing 90 minutes should that be required.

“I think so,” Frank said. “Of course you never know. There will be extra adrenaline in him. He is always fighting and working hard for the team.

“He is very fit and he has played in house games and played 90 minutes. A Premier League game is another thing. I think the excitement and adrenaline will do the rest.”

Brentford sit 16th in the Premier League, three points clear of the relegation zone, and without a win since December 2.

GO DEEPER

Ivan Toney, the return: How the Brentford striker has prepared to make an instant impact

(Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)