Brentford forward Ivan Toney has stated his aim of making use of his Three Lions call-up when England faces Italy and Germany in the UEFA Nations League Fixtures this international break.

The Brentford forward earned his debut senior national team call-up when Gareth Southgate included his name in the squad for September international break.

Toney earned the call-up after a brilliant start to the 2022/2023 Premier League season. The stride to the national team has been building up in the last couple of seasons, with Toney scoring 33 goals in 48 games as the Bees got promoted to the Premier League in the 2020/2021 season.

He scored 12 in 33 Premier League matches on his debut in the top flight, and the Bees’ second season has seen him with five goals and two assists in the seven matches played so far.

Toney revealed that it is an excellent achievement for him to be called to the senior national team.

“I never played for any of the ages groups; I’ve gone straight into the senior squad. It’s a great achievement, I’m very proud, and I wouldn’t have wanted it to go any other way. This is my opportunity now. I’m excited and confident about it, and I’m very hungry. I’ve been working for this moment, and it’s here now. I’m not going to let it go by me. I’m going to take it with both hands and make the most of the opportunity I have.” Toney said in a press conference on Tuesday ahead of Friday’s game.

On Friday, England will play Italy at the San Siro in the return leg of the fixture that saw both sides play out a 0-0 draw at the Molineux Stadium in March, with Toney set for his debut.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu