Ivan Toney injury update: Brentford issue latest ahead of Everton clash

Brentford boss Thomas Frank is hopeful that Ivan Toney will be able to feature in their fixture against Everton on Saturday evening.

Toney, who has scored four goals in 13 appearances since returning from his eight-month gambling ban, has been dealing with a hip injury in recent weeks.

The 28-year-old was an unused substitute in the Bees’ 2-0 win against Sheffield United and was dropped from the squad entirely last weekend for their crucial 5-1 away victory against Luton Town.

Now ten points clear of the drop, Brentford could all but confirm their safety on the weekend with a win against Everton and Frank is hopeful that his star striker could make a return.

‘[He is] progressing,’ Frank said at his pre-match press conference. ‘I’ve got to hope he is available for Saturday. There is still one more training session, so let’s see.

‘Ivan just loves to play football. He wants to play and get out there. Every game he is missing he hates that.

‘All footballers have that same feeling and then of course there is a Euros coming up which is important. But he is aware it’s important to be fit to perform so there’s plenty of games.’

Toney’s long-term future at the club, meanwhile, remains up in the air, with the club set to entertain bids from a number of interested parties.

Both Arsenal and Chelsea have been linked to the England international as they look to address their striker woes and Frank said the club will have no set asking price for their star striker whose contract runs out at the end of next season.

‘You should ask Phil Giles [director of football] and Matthew Benham [the club’s owner] about that but I’m pretty sure the answer will be that there is no [set] price,’ he said.

‘I think it’s all about the narrative. If you can score five goals in five games then suddenly your price is through the roof. If a striker performs consistently over time then there is a good price.

‘I know Ivan is a good player and he’s proven that many times. Last season he was fantastic, he got his full England debut and proved he can play with top players.’