Toney vows to repay Bees for supporting him during eight-month ban

Ivan Toney has revealed he lost his love for football during an eight-month betting ban but is ready to return and repay Brentford's support during his lengthy lay-off. 

The England striker has not played since last May, when he was found guilty of 232 breaches of the FA's gambling rules, but is set to make his Premier League comeback against Nottingham Forest on January 20. 

He has spent his time away from the game working hard on his own, in extra sessions at the club and on solo trips to Nashville. 

And he admits he struggled to come to terms with his punishment. 

Toney, 27, told Sky Sports: "I didn't watch football for a while. In a way I punished myself. There was a stage I probably did fall out of love with football.

"Missing games and not being around my team-mates was tough. I was confused but what's done is done now.

"I can't dwell on these things. Life's not fair, we know this, the more you dwell on it the more it's going to hurt you."

Toney has been linked with a big-money move, with the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea reportedly interested in a player who netted 20 times last season, but he is keen to show his appreciation for the Bees. 

Toney added: "Thomas Frank has been nothing but the biggest help I could have asked for — the whole club has. 

"From putting on extra sessions for me, from taking their time out to put a session on when they're not supposed to be in. I have a lot to repay them and I can't wait to try and do that. 

"The fans were behind me. Even when I wasn't at their games, they were singing my name. 

"A friend of mine sent me a video of the fans singing my name, I got goosebumps to know they're still behind me.

"With Brentford, they're struggling at the moment but I'm sure when I'm back I will play a big part to get them out of the losing form they've been in. I can't wait to get back and be helping my team-mates."