Ivan Toney won't hold back against old boss when Shrewsbury Town take on Sheffield United

But the forward will be the first to admit he owes much to Chris Wilder, the former Northampton boss who gave him an opportunity for his hometown club,

Toney returns from suspension as Wilder's high-flying Sheffield United visit Salop but is determined to put past connections to one side as he completes 'his job' – to score goals for Shrewsbury Town.

The on-loan Newcastle hitman was just 16 when handed his Cobblers debut and a year later he scored three goals in the final two games of Northampton's season to keep them in League Two.

Now 20, Toney has continued to develop, securing a giant move to the north-east and St James' Park where his loan spell in Shropshire is being analysed under the watchful eye of a certain Rafa Benitez.

The Toon boss is in contact with Toney through youth coach Peter Beardsley. The giant footballing names don't faze the confident young forward, who is keen to catch the Spaniard's eye and make up for lost time after sitting out the last game through suspension at Walsall.

"Coming from the players Rafa has managed, it is a pleasure to be working under him," beamed the striker.

"If I get a chance back there then I'll show him what I'm about but if he's keep watching me get experience, so be it. With a manager of his calibre it's great under him.

"I was injured when he came, I came back and had a few sessions, they were very enjoyable. He expects everything high tempo, he has high expectations and you have to deal with it and adapt.

"He expects the best from all of his players.

"You've got to play your game, do well in training, it's the striker's job to score goals so if you're doing that in training then you can't really do anything wrong. I've got a target in my head and I'll only share that if I hit it, if I don't then I'm sure you'll tell! I'm a double-figure man of course."

Smiling when he recalls his purple patch for Northampton those years ago, Toney added: "I was 18 when he believed in me against Dagenham, I scored two goals to help the club win. Then Oxford when I scored and kept the club up.

"Chris has helped me come a long way. He kept on telling me in every training session how to improve, I took it on board and managed to get the move to Newcastle, so I'm very grateful for that.

"It is an extra spark to impress against the old manager, I just want to be playing football at the same time, if I get a goal it'll be a good feeling.

"Chris took me a long way when I was with him and I'm grateful for that but unfortunately I want to score against him tonight for Shrewsbury.

"He's a great guy, he gave me a chance, I took it and I'm progressing.

"We didn't end on bad feelings, we both have jobs to do and whoever is the winner happens, we'll shake hands and leave it at that."

Toney officially has three goals this term for Salop, but he is eager for the FA and Football League to credit him with the goal against Chesterfield, given to Junior Brown.

"I'm still wanting that, that'd make me top scorer. But I'll clear that up by scoring tonight."