Hat-trick hero: Ivan Toney
(Picture: Getty Images)Brentford striker Ivan Toney hopes to have played his way into England contention after his hat-trick against Leeds.
Clamour for the striker to be called up by Gareth Southgate is growing following his stunning treble in Saturday’s 5-2 win over Leeds.
The 26-year-old has scored five goals this season and moved to second behind Harry Kane on the list of English Premier League goalscorers since the start of last season.
Asked if his numbers will be catching the eye of Southgate, Toney said: “Let’s hope so. There is always a chance. I have just got to concentrate on myself and concentrate on doing well for my team. Then, who knows what can happen?”
Southgate names his squad next week ahead of Nations League games against Italy and Germany this month.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank believes Toney has the profile and versatility to offer something Southgate’s existing forwards cannot.
“Kane is No1, but there is not a better [English] striker after Kane [than Toney] on form.”
Toney’s hat-trick helped Brentford to seventh in the table. The Bees travel to Southampton this weekend before hosting Arsenal prior to the upcoming international break, when Toney hopes to be part of the England squad meeting up for the last time before the World Cup.
Brentford team-mate Bryan Mbeumo said of Toney: “He can pass, shoot, finish, drop and play with the ball, lead the line. That all makes him a very hard player for the opponents to deal with, because he has the capacity to change his type of play. He has a different and unique profile and deserves his chance with England.”
