Brentford head coach Thomas Frank wants Ivan Toney to ‘show resilience’ after he was denied his England debut during the September internationals.
Toney, who has never been capped by his country at any level, was called into Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad for the first time ahead of Nations League clashes with Italy and Germany.
However, the striker was omitted from the matchday squad for England’s 1-0 loss in Italy and was an unused substitute in the following 3-3 draw against Germany at Wembley.
Nevertheless, Frank is trying to remain positive, showing empathy with fellow manager Southgate and challenging Toney to do more to win his first England cap.
“Obviously it was a big thing for Ivan to go into the England camp,” Frank began.
“No matter if he didn’t come on the pitch, it was still a big moment in his life and a big thing. Unfortunately he didn’t come on the pitch. Of course he wanted to play, of course I wanted him to play, the Brentford fans, all of us hoped that he would come on the pitch, but it’s Gareth’s decision and I know how it is to be a head coach.
“There are 1,000 things to consider. You need to think the best for the team and not an individual player. As far as I know there was quite a few other players that didn’t come on the pitch.
“From our perspective, and we only look from our side of the elephant, it’s difficult to see the bigger perspective. Of course we wanted him on the pitch, but it’s Gareth’s decision and he’s done a very good job for England.
“The way to get success is to show resilience and come back from smaller setbacks. Ivan hoped to get on the pitch; we need to move forward and prove people wrong by performing well. Ivan has a strong mentality.”
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