Crystal Palace have had several representatives across the international stage of the last couple of days.
The most high-profile Eagle to represent his country was Andros Townsend, who was an unused sub in England’s 2-0 win over Malta this evening.
The winger – a late replacement in the squad for the injured Raheem Sterling – has had an excellent start to life at Selhurst Park and scored his first goal for the club in the 4-1 win over Stoke City three weeks ago. He cited the reason for his move to Palace from recently relegated Newcastle United as a route to forge his way back into the Three Lions set-up.
Townsend was unlucky to fail to get into the squad for the recent European Championship in France. The former Tottenham Hotspur man had a good start to his England career, which began in 2014, and was even included in the pre-Euro 2016 provisional squad but was one of two players to be withdrawn upon the announcement of the final 23-man squad. Townsend will now hope to hold down a consistent spot in former Eagle Gareth Southgate’s squad over the coming months.
Townsend and the Three Lions face Slovenia on Tuesday.
Welsh contingent draw while Benteke cameo helps Belgium to comprehensive victory
Goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey and midfielder Joe Ledley both started for Wales in their 2-2 draw with Austria on Thursday evening. A stunning strike from Joe Allen and a Kevin Wimmer own goal had the Dragons ahead on two occasions, but a double from Allen's Stoke team-mate, Marko Arnautovic, ensured the points were shared.
Wales – also managed by another former Palace player in Chris Coleman – face Georgia tomorrow.
Meanwhile, club-record summer signing Christian Benteke made a brief appearance for Belgium from the substitutes' bench in the Red Devils’ 4-0 triumph over Bosnia.
James McArthur's Scotland face Lithuania tonight.