Euro 2016

Rafael Benitez backs Andros Townsend for Euro 2016 berth

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 07 May 2016

Newcastle United midfielder Andros Townsend can make Roy Hodgson's England squad for Euro 2016, according to Magpies boss Rafael Benitez.

Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has backed Andros Townsend to make Roy Hodgson's England squad for Euro 2016.

The 24-year-old has scored three times in his 10 international appearances to date, but was left out of Hodgson's last two selections.

The attacker has scored three times in his last five appearances for Newcastle, however, and Benitez believes that a strong end to the campaign would see the former Tottenham Hotspur winger make the 23-man squad.

"For me, yes, I think he's doing so well that he can be in the squad without any problem," Benitez told reporters.

"He has quality, but it is not just that quality from free-kicks and the way that he plays, it is that he works so hard also helping the team in defence. When you are a manager, you are looking for players you can trust. He can make the difference in attack, but he also helps in defence."

Townsend made the move to St James' Park in January following seven years at Spurs.