Brentford boss Thomas Frank says striker Ivan Toney would deserve to be named in Thursday’s England squad on footballing merit.

Manager Gareth Southgate watched Toney in Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Everton but is unlikely to include him in the party to face Italy and Ukraine because the 26-year-old has accepted multiple charges of breaching the Football Association’s betting rules and faces a future ban.

Frank acknowledges the complexities but says based on matters on the pitch alone, he should be included. 

Toney has scored 15 Premier League goals this season, a figure bettered only by Erling Haaland and Harry Kane.

‘If you look at the performances, I don’t think you can get past him,’ said Frank. 

Thomas Frank says Ivan Toney deserves to be in the England squad on footballing merit

Frank says it is a ‘difficult situation’ after Toney admitted to many of his 262 gambling charges

Gareth Southgate watched Toney on Saturday but is unlikely to include him in his squad

‘He has shown in goals and assists — which are two pretty good numbers to be high on — that he is the No 2 behind Harry. 

‘I understand it is a tricky situation overall, but I just think he is a very good striker.

‘It depends on what kind of striker Gareth Southgate wants — there are different types. Marcus Rashford is a striker or a winger.’

Toney could miss several months after admitting to many of the 262 charges made by the FA at the end of last year. Brentford have continued to pick Toney until a sentence is delivered.