England Winger Thankful For Time Away From Tottenham

Tottenham winger Andros Townsend says he's thankful to have spent the end of last season at QPR as the 22 year old looks to finally get the chance to prove himself at Spurs in this campaign.

Townsend came through the Tottenham youth system but strrugled to make an impact as he had nine loan-spells away from the side in the last four years.

His most recent time at QPR gave the England international the chance to work with Harry Redknapp once again, and though they suffered relegation he believes that he showed he is capable of becoming an important player in Andre Villas-Boas' line-up.

"The time I spent at QPR last season was massive for me," he said, according to the Mirror. "I would say it was almost make or break because it was my chance to show what I could do at the highest level.

"I have confidence in my own ability, but until you show people you can play in the Premier League that counts for nothing."

Having sold Gareth Bale for a record-breaking fee to Real Madrid earlier this summer, and with Aaron Lennon currently sidelined through injury, Townsend has grasped the opportunity to impress.

With a lack of attacking options last season Spurs gave up a convincing lead over Arsenal in the Premier League to miss out on a top four finish to their rivals by one point.

And while Villas-Boas has seriously boosted the squad with attacking options the manager will be pleased to have more depth as Townsend gets his chance to impress as part of the England squad as well.

Redknapp admitted he would have liked to keep Townsend as QPR fight to be promoted back into the Premier League but the manager revealed Tottenham wanted to keep the young star.

"Andros did great last year but Tottenham don't really want to sell him. He's not for sale as far as I know," he said in August. "It's difficult. I couldn't see us being able to buy him. I think he'd be too expensive for us. But I do like Andros - he'd be brilliant."