Thomas Frank has backed Ivan Toney to pick up where he left off with Brentford this weekend, despite the disappointment of missing out on an England debut.
Toney was called up by Gareth Southgate for the first time for Nations League games against Italy and Germany, but after being left out of the squad to face the former, was only an unused substitute at Wembley against the latter.
Southgate himself insisted Toney still has every chance of playing his way into England’s World Cup squad for Qatar and Frank believes the forward, who has five goals in seven Premier League games this term, will respond in the right way.
"No matter if he didn't come on the pitch, it was still a big moment in his life and a big thing,” said Frank, whose side travel to Bournemouth tomorrow.
“Of course he wanted to play, of course I wanted him to play. The Brentford fans, all of us hoped that he would come on the pitch, but it's Gareth's decision.
“The way to get success is to show resilience and come back from smaller setbacks. Ivan hoped to get on the pitch; we need to move forward and prove people wrong by performing well. Ivan has a strong mentality.”
