Rafael Benitez backs Andros Townsend for Euro 2016 berth

Andros Townsend celebrates scoring with his allegedly 'stunning' free kick during the Premier League game between Newcastle United and Crystal Palace on April 30, 2016
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Newcastle United midfielder Andros Townsend can make Roy Hodgson's England squad for Euro 2016, according to Magpies boss Rafael Benitez.

Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has backed Andros Townsend to make Roy Hodgson's England squad for Euro 2016.

The 24-year-old has scored three times in his 10 international appearances to date, but was left out of Hodgson's last two selections.

The attacker has scored three times in his last five appearances for Newcastle, however, and Benitez believes that a strong end to the campaign would see the former Tottenham Hotspur winger make the 23-man squad.

"For me, yes, I think he's doing so well that he can be in the squad without any problem," Benitez told reporters.

"He has quality, but it is not just that quality from free-kicks and the way that he plays, it is that he works so hard also helping the team in defence. When you are a manager, you are looking for players you can trust. He can make the difference in attack, but he also helps in defence."

Townsend made the move to St James' Park in January following seven years at Spurs.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal in action during the Barclays Premier League match between Newcastle United and Arsenal at St James' Park on August 29, 2015
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2Tottenham HotspurSpurs371913568303870
3Arsenal371911761362568
4Manchester CityMan City371981070403065
5Manchester UnitedMan Utd371891046341263
6West Ham UnitedWest Ham371614764491562
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17Sunderland37911174660-1438
RNewcastle UnitedNewcastle37810193964-2534
RNorwich CityNorwich3797213964-2534
RAston Villa3738262772-4517