Roy Hodgson has said that he got lucky in being able to pick Andros Townsend for England's final two World Cup qualifiers.

The Tottenham Hotspur winger excelled in both, netting one of the four goals against Montenegro on his debut before again providing a constant threat down England's right against Poland last night.

Despite his form for Spurs this season that has seen him keep out record signing Erik Lamela, Hodgson conceded today that the 22-year-old wouldn't have played had Arsenal's Theo Walcott been fit.

He told a news conference: "If Theo Walcott had been available [Townsend] wouldn't have got his chance. This is fate in football.

"Sometimes you are just lucky. What looks like being a major loss for you ends up being compensated by someone arriving on the scene who ends up having a wonder game."

England's two victories secured their place at next summer's World Cup finals in Brazil. They will find out who they are to play in the group stage on December 6.

Written by
Pascal Lemesre