Ivan Toney SCORES on his Brentford return in a behind-closed-doors friendly as the striker makes first appearance since being hit with eight-month ban by the FA

Ivan Toney made a goal-scoring return to action in a behind closed doors friendly against Italian side Como 1907.

In his first appearance since receiving an eight-month ban for breaching FA betting rules in May, striker Toney played 61 minutes and netted Brentford‘s first goal in the game that ended 2-2.

The fixture against the Italian Serie B side, whose president is former Chelsea captain Dennis Wise, took place at AFC Wimbledon‘s Cherry Red Records stadium.

Toney’s last appearance was at Liverpool at the start of May.

The game was arranged to help striker Toney continue building up his fitness while he remain suspended from competitive action.

Ivan Toney (right) made his return to football for the first time since May 6 as Brentford drew 2-2 against Como in a friendly behind closed doors

For the first four months of his punishment he was not allowed to train with his teammates and only attend Brentford’s training ground for treatment.

That period ended on September 17 with Toney allowed to resume sessions with the rest of Thomas Frank’s squad.

Permission was also sought for Toney to be able to play matches with the FA agreeing providing certain conditions were met, including that any games were played behind closed doors.

The 27-year-old is serving an eight-month ban for breaching FA betting rules

The 27 year-old, who was also fined £50,000, was sanctioned after admitting 232 breaches of the FA’s betting rules.

His ban from competitive action ends on January 16. And Brentford will hope they can hang onto Toney beyond the end of the month in which he makes his comeback with Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham all keen on him.

Toney scored 14 goals and then 21 in his two seasons since Brentford’s promotion to the Premier League to put himself on the radar of some of the division’s biggest clubs.