Reggae Boyz target Toney gets England call-up

LONDON, England (CMC):

Jamaica have missed out on securing the services of uncapped Brentford hot-shot striker Ivan Toney after the Reggae Boyz target was called up by England manager Gareth Southgate on Wednesday for Nations League games with Italy and Germany this month.

Toney, who has 17 goals and seven assists in 41 Premier League (PL) appearances – including five goals in six PL games this season – is the first Brentford player to receive a senior England call-up since Les Smith 83 years ago.

Jamaica have closely followed the progress of the 26-year-old, who is eligible to represent the Caribbean powerhouses, and were keen on having him as a part of the squad for their World Cup qualifying campaign.

“We have been tracking him for a long time,” said Southgate. “I had a good chat with Brentford boss Thomas Frank about him last season.

“His form and his qualities – not only his goal-scoring but his technical ability, build-up play and aerial prowess – give us a different threat to some of the other players we could pick.”

Frank said it was a “fantastic day” for everyone at Brentford, adding: “He is one of our leaders and has excelled as a player and a person.

“For the staff, it is a massive moment. To have someone in the England squad is a huge achievement for everyone at the club.”

Toney, who was playing in the third-tier League One with Peterborough United as recently as March 2020, scored a hat-trick in Brentford’s 5-2 win over Leeds earlier this month.

He now finds himself in an England squad 67 days before the World Cup starts in Qatar on November 20. Brentford and Toney will next be in action in the English Premier League on Sunday when they host league leaders Arsenal at 6 a.m. Jamaica time.