Available for Brentford’s game against Nottingham Forest on Saturday having served an eight-month ban from football, striker Ivan Toney said he “can’t wait to start playing again”.

Toney’s last competitive match was the Bees’ 1-0 defeat at Liverpool on 6 May, but he has been allowed to train with his team-mates since September.

And having found the net in behind-closed-doors friendlies against Southampton Under-23s and Brøndby this month, Toney insisted that he is “feeling good” ahead of his expected return this weekend.

“I’m always relaxed,” said Toney, who has scored 32 goals in 64 Premier League appearances for Thomas Frank’s side.

“There is no pressure. Playing football isn’t pressure. I’m the most talked about and I haven’t even kicked a football, so I’ve probably done a good job! But talk is talk and I’ve got to make sure I do my job when I get on the pitch.”

Brentford are without a win since a 3-1 victory over Luton Town on 2 December, and the 27-year-old admitted that it has been frustrating to sit the stands in recent weeks.

He said: “I like watching football, it brings me joy, but watching this recent dip has been painful – to not to be able to help them get out of it. Hopefully when I’m back I can do that.

“There’s no better feeling than scoring a goal, no matter who it’s against. You’re on a pitch to do a job and when you do it, it feels sweet. I can’t wait for it to be against the big boys, scoring goals and helping the team get where they should be.

“I feel ready and can’t wait to start playing. I feel good – I kept on top of things – so [the sharpness] has always been there.”

While Toney revealed that he has a goal target for the second half of the season, the England international is keeping the figure close to his chest: “I don’t share it until I hit it! It’s achievable and hopefully it can help me get to the Euros in the summer.”

Toney also paid tribute to the Bees fans, who have regularly sung the striker’s name during his time away from the pitch.

“I’m hoping my message for them is to score goals,” he said. “I’m sure that would be enough.

“The message is thank you to everyone for being behind me and being so supportive – it meant a lot. I’m thankful for every message.”