Thomas Frank believes “the sky is the limit” for Brentford goal machine Ivan Toney after the Bees hitman celebrated his first England call-up.

After five goals in the first six Premier League games of the season, the 26-year-old ace was included in Gareth Southgate’s squad for UEFA Nations league fixtures against Italy and Germany.

Before then, Toney will be hoping for another fruitful afternoon on Sunday when Brentford host Arsenal at the Gtech Community Stadium knowing that a win could take them into the European places.

“I’m very pleased. It’s not often Ivan is speechless,” said Frank of his in-form striker.

“He is a very confident guy who believes in himself. The journey has definitely not been straightforward for him. He took a few detours on his path to the first call-up.

“A nice little twist to the story, Gareth Southgate just showed how great a man he is, that he texted me in the morning and said, ‘Thomas you can bring the news to Ivan’.

“It’s not often as coaches we can bring the good news. It’s so rare and it’s 90% suffering and 10% joy. That was a joyful moment.”

Toney’s inclusion in this squad suggests that Southgate is seriously considering the 26-year-old as part of his World Cup plans and club boss Frank believes he has all the makings of an international striker.

“His ability in the box and his link-up play is at a very, very high international level,” he said.

“When we want to fulfil a potential, we don’t know how big that potential is. Ivan's potential is still very much not at the top yet. The sky's the limit I would say.”

With only two-and-a-half years left on his current contract, there will be no shortage of suitors for Toney next summer were the two parties unable to agree a new deal.

If he were to depart, Toney would join the likes of Ezri Konsa, Neal Maupay, Said Benrahma and Ollie Watkins on the list of players that Brentford have acquired for modest fees and sold for big money, and that reputation for developing young talent is one that Frank is immensely proud of.

“It adds another layer to the story we try to sell to players,” he added.

“They can go to the next level. Ivan and David Raya, both came from lower league clubs and weren’t youth national players; we take massive pride in their development.”

Next for Frank’s side are high-flying Arsenal, who have suffered just one defeat so far this term, with some, including Frank, tipping them as dark horses for the title.

Brentford emerged as 2-0 winners when the sides met in the Bees’ first ever Premier League game last August, but Frank believes that the present Arsenal team are a much stronger outfit.

“We are playing against a very good side,” he explained. “It was one thing to beat them a year ago. For me, now, after Manchester City, they are the best performing side in the Premier League.

“I said to the players today that we will need to be able to suffer and defend very well. If we do that then I’m convinced we will have our opportunities throughout the game. No doubt this will be our biggest challenge so far.”