Toney To Return For Under-21s

By Tom Easterby - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Ivan Toney is set to make his comeback from injury when Newcastle United Under-21s make the long trip south to face Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday (7pm kick-off).

The 20-year-old forward has not featured for United since suffering an ankle ligament injury in training in January.

But the former Northampton Town man - who picked up the Barclays Under-21 Premier League player of the month award for September - is in the squad for the midweek clash with the Seagulls at Crawley Town's Broadfield Stadium.

And Toney says he'll be out to make up for lost time when he makes his long-awaited return to action against Simon Rusk's side, who have won just once all season.

"I've had so long out, so I'm really excited. I was excited to train yesterday - I woke up extra early!" he laughed. "I can't wait to get back playing.

"I think that was actually my first injury, so I didn't know what injury life is like. It's been frustrating, and it's felt like it's been a long time. It's been really tough.

"Watching and not being able to play or doing something you love was just painful, watching from the side. But now I'm fit and available I just want to play football as much as I can. I've even been doing kick ups in my house - I've missed it that much."

Toney's last outing came as a late substitute for Cheick Tiote in the first team's 3-3 draw with Manchester United at St. James' Park in January.

That was his fourth appearance for the Magpies following his summer arrival from the Cobblers, while he also enjoyed a brief loan spell with League One side Barnsley at the end of last year.

Northampton-born Toney has now set his sights on a strong end to the season with United's under-21s, and is hoping to make his name a regular feature on the scoresheet in their final four games of the campaign.

"One minute you're with the first team doing well, and next minute you're not doing the best, and obviously the injury knocked me back a bit. I just had to pick myself back up and go again," he said.

"I want to get a bit more fitness and hopefully a few more goals. I'd like to get a goal every two games I'd say, but obviously the injury has set me back a bit.

"A goal in every game for the rest of the season would be achievable, and would be good for myself."

Brighton are currently bottom of the Barclays Under-21 Premier League Division Two, seven points behind tenth-placed Newcastle, having played a game more.

And Toney says he's looking forward to helping out Peter Beardsley's side this week as they go in search of a first league win in four.

"Everyone's confident and comfortable on the ball, and we should be winning games, from what I've been watching. It depends who wants it more, and that's who wins the game," he said.

"I just want to contribute to a win, and add some goals to the side, but I haven't been able to do that because of my injury. But now that I'm fit, hopefully I can bring some of that.

"Everyone's always excited when there's a game coming up, so we'll see how it pans out and hopefully we can go there and get the win."

Follow @NUFC on Twitter for updates from Wednesday's Barclays Under-21 Premier League fixture against Brighton (7pm kick-off).