I loved Andros Townsend when he was a Newcastle United player.
Not quite as skilful as Allan Saint-Maximin, Townsend was fast and direct, running at players and providing big goals.
Sadly, his efforts weren’t enough to keep us up in 2016, and the winger was sold to Crystal Palace for £13 million.
There was talk of him returning to St James’ Park, but the rumours never came to fruition. But while his current club will be at St James’ Park this weekend, Townsend is set to miss out.
He didn’t feature in the draw with Brighton, and Roy Hodgson provided an update on his fitness, as well as various other plays.
“Patrick van Aanholt: we’re hoping because it was a muscle injury, he’s working at it and we hope that might not be so long,” he told Palace’s official website.
“But with Jeffrey Schlupp it’s a long-term injury, with Andros Townsend a long-term injury. With Gary Cahill, he’s had a minor operation, so that will be a relatively long-term injury.”
The Eagles have real problems all over the pitch, and it looks like two former Magpies will be missing this weekend.
Patrick Van Aanholt is better known for his Sunderland spell, but he spent a brief period of time at Newcastle back in 2010. He’s one of Palace’s best players, and his absence will certainly boost our chances.
Townsend is also dangerous, and has shown in the past that he knows how to score at St James’ Park. Who remembers that stunning free kick against Palace three years ago?
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