Ivan Toney has spoken of his desire to repay Brentford for all the support they have shown him as he prepares to make his return to first-team football.
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The 27-year-old forward is serving an eight-month suspension for betting-related charges which ends on 17 January and will be available for Brentford’s next Premier League match at home to Nottingham Forest on 20 January.
"The club was right behind me from the first bit. The fans were behind me, which was a massive part," Toney said in an interview with Sky Sports.
"Even when I wasn't at their games, they were singing my name. And I got loads of messages on social media. A friend of mine sent me a video of the fans singing my name, I got goosebumps to know that they're still behind me, even though I'm not there.
"Everyone knows Brentford is a family club, they have been nothing but amazing for me. I can't thank them enough, especially the fans. They were behind me from the first minute as well. So it's kind of like I have a lot to repay."
The striker's comeback will be a timely boost for Thomas Frank's side, who are currently 16th in the table, only four points above the relegation zone after losing seven of their last eight matches in the competition while having to deal with a host of significant injuries.
Toney, who played 75 minutes in Brentford B's 5-1 win in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Southampton Under-23s on Saturday, scoring a hat-trick, has promised to help get the Bees back on track.
"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," Toney said.
"Everybody at Brentford knows I will do my best to try and get the club out of the sticky patch we're in.”
'I fell out of love with football'
Toney admits that his mental health did suffer at the start of his ban and says he fell out of love with football.
"In the first place, personally I didn't watch football for a while, for a month and a bit. I'd only really watch Brentford games, but I would flick it on now and then, just listening in the background for the chances or the scoreline, things like this," he added.
"Before that, I was watching every single Premier League game possible. Every League One and League Two game on TV, obviously coming from those leagues. In a way, I kind of punished myself, not watching games. Then I realised: that's not really helping me, the situation is done.
"So watch football, enjoy it, and know when you get back, you've got things to do. Mentally it was tough, but I think I'm quite strong in that sense. I don't let things get to me so I brushed it aside and continued where I was going.
"There was a stage where I fell out of love with football, a bit. But then football is all that I know really. Playing football from a young age, it's what I'm used to."
