Manager Chris Wilder left the forward out of his squad for Saturday’s game at Brackley, where Town lifted the Maunsell Cup after goals from Marc Richards and a double from new signing Alfie Potter.
Quoted on the Chronicle & Echo website, Wilder said of the speculation surrounding Toney: “There’s been some interest from Championship and Premier League clubs and we took the decision not to involve Ivan.
“That will progress in its time and if it does, we’ll deal with that. If it doesn’t, he’ll be back as our player.”
Wilder’s calmness over the issue possibly stems from the fact that Toney, despite being linked with the higher ranks of the English game, is far from certain to be a regular starter in his side for 2015/16.
Richards’ remains the key man for Northampton in attack and it is success or otherwise in front of goal that will determine to a large extent the success of the forthcoming campaign.