Winger Townsend emerged as a key figure in Newcastle’s survival bid under Benitez and his record of four goals in 13 Premier League games for the club was enough to earn him a place in England’s provisional 26-man squad for Euro 2016.
Poll names former Tottenham star as a nailed-on starter for new club
By Tom Blackburn
Crystal Palace fans have overwhelmingly backed former Tottenham and Newcastle winger Andros Townsend to start the season for his new team.
In a poll ran by the Croydon Advertiser, four different options were given to readers, each with three of Townsend, Wilfried Zaha, Yannick Bolasie and Jason Puncheon starting in an attack-minded line-up.
A resounding 93 per cent of readers voted that Townsend should start the campaign for Palace.
The top combination for three players lining up behind a striker was Townsend, Bolasie and Zaha ,which 56 per cent of fans supported.
But manager Roy Hodgson decided against taking Townsend to France, despite an impressive substitutes’ appearance against Australia at the Stadium of Light.
The 25-year-old came through the Spurs academy system to earn his first professional contract in 2008.
Much of Townsend’s seven and a half years at Spurs following that were spent away from White Hart Lane on loan, before he was sold to Newcastle in January for £13million.
In other Tottenham news, they have made and approach for a £12million attacking midfielder but Everton are also interested.