Andros Townsend joined Crystal Palace in the summer transfer window to be “noticed and recognised”, according to his father.

England international Townsend arrived at Newcastle United last January after leaving Tottenham and found a rich vein of form for the Magpies.

The winger scored four goals and created two assists in his 13 Premier League appearances for the club – but was unable to prevent relegation.

Townsend joined Alan Pardew’s Palace in July and his father, Troy, reiterated the reasons behind the move to south London.

“It was a tug-of-war situation,” Townsend Snr told Talksport. “I mean, Rafa [Benitez] did absolute wonders for him, ideally he would have loved to stay at the club.

MORE: Ex-Liverpool striker called up to international squad after Palace form

“But if you’re going to be noticed, if you’re going to be recognised – obviously he had a massive disappointment in the summer – and if you’re going to get yourself back in the area that he wants to be then unfortunately the Premier League is the only place to be.”

He added: “That’s obviously disappointing for Newcastle fans.

“But for the six months he was there I’m not sure there was another player - well there was a few - that put their heart and soul to try and keep that club where it rightly deserves to be.

“I know that some fans have not taken it in the right way and I can understand that, but it just goes to prove how much he did do in the time he was there.”

After an impressive start to the season with the Eagles, Townsend was called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad in replace of the injured Raheem Sterling.

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