The Newcastle United winger has had a season to forget despite some fine individual showings.
What a strange season it has been for Andros Townsend.
He started the campaign at Tottenham Hotspur but had to make do with a bit-part role, predominantly in the Europa League, before a much publicised fall-out saw him training with the reserves where he started to get his campaign back on track with some impressive performances at under-21 level.
While it was not enough to force his way back into Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino’s plans Townsend did earn a transfer to Newcastle United, where he quickly set about what at times was a one-man mission to pull them clear of relegation.
Ultimately he and his Magpies teammates fell short, but after four goals, two assists and a string of impressive performances it was no surprise to see Townsend called up for the provisional England squad ahead of the European Championships.
The 24-year-old had what so many of his fellow wingers lacked and as a Roy Hodgson favourite Townsend’s place at the summer tournament appeared relatively secure.
Alas it was not, and after being cast to the reserves at Tottenham, suffering relegation at Newcastle and getting just 14 minutes to impress in England’s warm-up matches, Townsend was cut from the final 23-man squad.
As a result, Townsend could be forgiven for feeling like the unluckiest player of the campaign, with Raheem Sterling doing little for club or country to suggest he is worthy of a place ahead of the Newcastle star.
Next season he will be in the Championship hoping to fire Newcastle back to the top flight at the first time of asking, and if he can perform consistently, do not be surprised if he puts all his bad luck behind him in fine and long lasting fashion.
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