ANDROS TOWNSEND thought his Premier League profession was all however over when he started this season working for Sky Sports activities.
The previous England winger, 32, was devastated when a mooted summer season free switch to Burnley fell by way of.
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Townsend had agreed phrases with the Clarets after finishing a trial at Turf Moor, just for Vincent Kompany’s aspect to tug the plug.
The ex-Tottenham ace believed that his profession on the high stage was hanging by a thread, having additionally seen a Deadline Day transfer to Turkey fail to materialise.
Finally he was given a chance by Luton, finishing a swap to Kenilworth Street in October.
”The longer it went on I questioned whether or not I might play once more,” Townsend informed the Hatters’ matchday programme forward of their conflict with Manchester United.
”At the beginning of the summer season I assumed perhaps my Premier League profession can be over however I would be capable of go abroad and construct a profession there, however because the months went on and rejections got here thick and quick I began to grasp perhaps that is me now, perhaps it is over.”
Having left Crystal Palace in the summertime of 2021, Townsend was snapped up by his former Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez at Everton.
Throughout a largely productive first marketing campaign that noticed him rating seven objectives in 27 appearances, Townsend suffered a devastating ACL damage in March 2022.
Throughout his 18-month lay-off Townsend explored the world of punditry, working for ITV through the World Cup in Qatar and even showing on Sky Sports activities’ Premier League protection earlier this season.
Having now discovered pleasure once more on the pitch with Luton, Townsend is relishing the problem of holding Rob Edwards’ aspect within the Premier League.
”The dressing room is unquestionably up there when it comes to one of the best I have been in with the crew spirit and cohesion,” he stated.
”It’s a particular, particular ambiance and one of many primary the reason why this membership has come from the Convention to the Premier League in a brief house of time.
”There’s 100 per cent perception we will keep up.
”Once I walked within the door we weren’t getting the factors we deserved and wanted to however there was all the time perception that we have been ok however now we’re displaying the Premier League and the surface world and those that doubted us that we’re ok to be on this league.”
Townsend went into Sunday’s sport having scored as soon as and laid on two assists in 14 Prem outings this season.
Having earned a cope with Luton till the summer season of 2026, Townsend shall be hoping for a lot of extra probabilities to shine on the largest stage, with Luton having given themselves a combating probability of survival.