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

Toney, who has four goals in 13 games after returning from an eight-month gambling suspension, has been out with a hip ailment in recent weeks.

The 28-year-old was an unused substitute in the Bees’ 2-0 victory over Sheffield United and was left out of the squad entirely for their critical 5-1 away triumph over Luton Town last weekend.

Brentford, already ten points clear of the drop zone, could all but confirm their safety with a win over Everton this weekend, and Frank is hopeful that his star striker will 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, however, remains uncertain, with the club preparing to consider bids from a number of interested parties.

Both Arsenal and Chelsea have been connected with the England international as they attempt to address their striker difficulties, and Frank stated that the club will not have a clear asking price for their star striker, whose contract expires at the end of next season.

‘You should ask Phil Giles [director of football] and Matthew Benham [owner of the club] about it, but I’m very confident the response will be that there is no [fixed] price,’ he stated.