Missing Ivan Toney? He’ll struggle to get back in the side! Ben Mee heaps praise on his Brentford team-mates as Thomas Frank’s entertainers fire three past Luton

Such is the culture Thomas Frank has created at Brentford that even without Ivan Toney, his players have gone about their business just fine.

Ivan Toney scored 20 of Brentford’s 58 Premier League goals last season before he was banned for eight months for breaching betting rules. But in his absence, the Bees have more points and goals than they did at this stage last season. 

With three different goalscorers against Luton, this dominant performance was another reminder of the quality throughout this Brentford side.

A one-man team? ‘We’re definitely not,’ said Ben Mee, who got a goal and an assist on Saturday. 

‘We have some great talent. Neal (Maupay) has come in and got goals. It’s a great group with togetherness and we’re playing some good football. Ivan will come back and bring another dimension to the attack.’

Such is the culture Thomas Frank has created at Brentford that even without Ivan Toney, his players have gone about their business just fine

Toney can’t play until January 17, but is in the middle of a 16-week training plan at Brentford

Toney can’t play until January 17, but is in the middle of a 16-week training plan and Mee insisted the 27-year-old is in great shape. 

‘He’s been really good,’ said Mee. ‘He’s been working with us for a while and played in a couple of games that he’s been allowed to. He’s looking really sharp.’

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United are linked with a January move but Brentford want to keep Toney until at least the summer.

‘He’s a big character and a big player for us,’ said Mee. ‘It will be a massive boost having him back and hopefully we’ll be even more menacing — but he’ll do well to get back into the side!’