Ex-Tottenham Boss Excited By Future of World Cup-Bound Flyer

Former England and Tottenham Hotspur manager Terry Venables has hailed the performances of Andros Townsend, who is bound for next year's World Cup after a series of impressive showing this season for club and country.

Townsend has been preferred ahead of summer signings Nacer Chadli and Erik Lamela on the right while upon the return of Aaron Lennon in the win over Hull City; the 22 year old retained his favoured wide role.

A goal on his England debut in the World Cup qualifying win over Monetengro and subsequent impressive performance in victory over Poland has seemingly all-but cemented Townsend's place in England squad next summer.

And Venables the ex-Tottenham boss from 1987-1993 and England manager from 1994-1996 says Townsend, who went on nine different loan spells away from White Hart Lane prior to this season - has a full repertoire and is excited about his future.

"All those loan periods count for nothing," said Venables.

"It didn't matter whether he had been to one club or a hundred, the only thing he should be judged on is how he plays in any particular game. The fact is he has a lot of things going for him.

"Andros has fantastic awareness and his raw pace is always going to make it difficult for defenders.

"He has this ability to hug the touchline, go fast, but still have time to look up to see what he wants to hit in the middle.

"Even when he runs out of space, he has a repertoire of other crosses in his locker; cut-backs, back post, near post.

"It is still early for him but we are all excited about the future because of the performances he has put in."

After the international break Townsend scored his first Premier League goal against Aston Villa last weekend and with Theo Walcott still out injured, the Tottenham man looks likely to travel to Brazil next summer as Roy Hodgson's first choice wide-man.

Following the summer sale of Gareth Bale, manager Andre Villas-Boas has entrusted Townsend with a regular starting role this season despite signing both Chadli and Lamela in the summer.

And the former Leeds United and Queens Park Rangers loanee has more than rapaid the Portuguese manager's faith, with a string of impressive displays to spark Tottenham's title charge into action.