Frank: Brentford might not need Toney replacement

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Thomas Frank says Brentford might not need to move into the transfer market to replace Ivan Toney while the striker serves his eight-month ban.

Toney was given the suspension on Wednesday for 232 breaches of the FA’s betting rules.


He cannot train with the club until September and will not be able to play again until 17 January 2024.

“It’s not a problem, I prefer to call it a challenge,” Bees boss Frank said.

“We are very keen on signing Kevin Schade in the window and will have four players who can play in the position in Yoane Wissa, Keane Lewis-Potter and Bryan Mbeumo.

“We have in-house, good replacements.  Schade could be good down the middle, but we don’t know yet if we will do anything in the market, but it’s something we will need to consider.

“But in the Championship we lost Neal Maupay and had to find 25 goals, so we moved Ollie Watkins into the middle and he scored 28 goals. That could maybe happen again.”

Frank added that the club are unsure whether Toney can still attend their training ground in Osterley during his ban.

The Dane said: “We actually don’t know. We are waiting for the information to see what we can do and what he is allowed to do for the first four months.

“We will do everything we can to be there for him, support him and be aware of the mental health of it. Of course he has made some mistakes.

“When you are waiting for what the sanction is going to be, the uncertainty is probably the worst thing. At least now he knows what it means.”