Brentford will not sign a striker to replace Ivan Toney while he serves his ban, Thomas Frank has confirmed.
Toney is not allowed to play for Brentford until January 16, after admitting to 232 breaches of FA betting rules.
He scored 20 Premier League goals last season — only Erling Haaland and Harry Kane scored more — yet Frank believes his squad is strong enough to deliver the goals they need in his absence.
Asked whether he is looking to sign another striker, Frank replied: “No. Because I think both [Yoane] Wissa and Kevin Schade are best as a No9.
“Every single time we have played Wissa, he has produced with us. We believe there will be enough [quality] — that’s why we don’t want to get a striker.
“If you get a striker when Ivan is back, he’ll most likely play. He is one of the best strikers in the world. In January he’s coming back, so it would not make sense to bring in a striker.”
Frank insisted he expects to get the best of Wissa and Schade while Toney is out, and explained how his front-three might look, ahead of Brentford’s Premier League opener at home to Tottenham on Sunday.
“Bryan has been one of our most consistent players. Wissa and Kevin will fight for No9, and then Kevin and Keane [Lewis-Potter] can play the [left] winger.”
