I owe a lot to Roy because he gave me my first caps
the spotlight,” said Townsend. “When you are playing for Tottenham and England, your every move is analysed and criticised. I am happy now with the way I am playing and helping the team.
“Obviously I would like to be back in the spotlight, but first and foremost Palace need to stay up.”
The arrival of Roy Hodgson, who replaced Frank De Boer in September when Palace were bottom of the table without a point, has helped.
It was Hodgson who gave Townsend his chance as an England player, and he said: “The manager is relentless. After a win on Saturday, you’re in on Monday preparing hard for the next game. It never gives you the chance to relax.
“When he came in, we were in a bad situation and had no confidence. He stripped everything back – basic drills, running time and again through where he wanted us to be at what stage of the game. Mechanical stuff – but definitely what we needed.
“It’s no secret that I owe a lot to Roy because he gave me my first caps. I am extremely grateful to him. And at club level he has given me the confidence to keep going.”
His form has picked up since the arrival of Hodgson – even though the manager had crushed Townsend in 2016 by leaving him out of his England squad for the European Championship. “We have not spoken about it,” said Townsend. “The last time we spoke about that was when he told me his decision.
“At the time, I was devastated because I was in great form for Newcastle. But six months before that I was playing for Spurs reserves. That put things into perspective. When I wasn’t in the greatest club form at Spurs he would call upon me and I’d always produce.
“There was no awkwardness. We’re both grown up. He had to cut his squad down to 23 and I always had an inkling it was going to be me.” Although current manager Gareth Southgate has picked Townsend twice, he has faded from the scene. But he is adamant he has not given up on adding to his cap collection.
“I believe in my ability, and that I can get into the England squad again,” he said. “But when you are near the bottom of the league, you have to do something special to get in.”
Palace’s win at relegation rivals Huddersfield 12 days ago, after four straight defeats, was crucial. They face Liverpool lying two points above the bottom three but with games against fellow strugglers Watford, Stoke and West Brom to come.
Townsend, relaxing in Palace’s boot room in Beckenham, said: “That win was crucial. We were in the same situation last season, then we strung a few wins together. We have the knowhow to get out of situations like this.
“I was relegated with QPR and Newcastle. It showed me talent is never enough. You hear, ‘You are too good to go down’. But it never works that way.”
The return from injury of Wilfried Zaha is a key factor. Townsend said: “Wilf is one of the best players in the Premier League. Stuff he can do with the ball is just frightening.”
So would he feel unfulfilled if his career ended with those 13 caps? “Of course. My last cap was at 25. To not get another would be disappointing. But I cherish every cap I won.”