Ivan Toney says he by no means doubted his probabilities of returning to the England squad, regardless of making the transfer to the Saudi Professional League final 12 months.
The Al Ahli striker has been referred to as up by Gareth Southgate forward of the Three Lions’ World Cup qualifier in opposition to Andorra this Saturday.
The 29-year-old is again within the nationwide crew setup for the primary time since England’s loss to Spain within the Euro 2024 last final July.
Toney had been absent from worldwide soccer after serving an eight-month suspension in 2023 for breaching betting laws.
Following his departure from Brentford final summer season, Toney signed for Saudi membership Al Ahli and shortly discovered his type, netting 30 targets in 44 matches throughout all competitions.
When requested on Wednesday throughout England’s coaching camp in Girona whether or not the swap to Saudi Arabia had put his worldwide profession in danger, the ahead replied: “No.
🗣 “It is robust, it is not straightforward!”
England’s Ivan Toney says criticism of the Saudi Professional League is unfair.#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/2I6QLwjFTR
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) June 5, 2025
“You see with me I feel for those who’re simply doing the proper factor, taking part in soccer, taking part in effectively and scoring targets – a striker’s job, that’s what you’re in a crew to do – it doesn’t matter the place you play on the planet, I really feel like it is best to nonetheless get the possibility.
“I feel it’s been confirmed me being me being again right here and being again amongst the boys. It feels good to see the faces once more and it feels good to get caught in.”
Toney’s prolific output in Saudi Arabia was laborious to disregard. Solely Cristiano Ronaldo outscored him within the league through the 2024-25 marketing campaign, with Toney’s 23 targets edging out huge names like Karim Benzema (21) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (19).
“I really feel like I’m in good type. As you see, I’m right here, I’m nonetheless scoring targets,” Toney added.
“So, hopefully I can maintain doing that and be within the combine for the World Cup.”
England face Andorra in Spain on Saturday, earlier than taking up Senegal in a pleasant at Wembley on June 10.