Danny Murphy: ‘I’d take in-form Newcastle star Andros Townsend to Euro 2016 over Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’

Newcastle forward Andros Townsend is ahead of Arsenal duo Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the race for a spot in England’s Euro 2016 squad, believes Danny Murphy.

The Gunners forwards have both struggled to make an impact for Arsene Wenger's side this season, with Walcott scoring just five Premier league goals despite regular selection, while Oxlade-Chamberlain hasn’t featured at all since February.

Townsend, meanwhile, has turned saviour for Newcastle.

He has been outstanding since moving to the Magpies from Tottenham in January, scoring four brilliant goals and claiming two assists in ten games for the Premier League strugglers.

And His latest strike, a fine free-kick against Crystal Palace on Saturday, won the three points which finally lifted Newcastle out of the relegation zone.

Townsend has starred for England before, and that at a time when he wasn’t even first choice at Tottenham, and ex-Spurs midfielder Murphy has sent a message to Roy Hodgson - ‘Get him on the plane!’

“Townsend is fit, is playing well and is scoring goals - I would take him,” Murphy told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast.

“I’m a big fan of Walcott and Oxlade-Chamberlain when they’re playing regularly and they’re contributing.

“But you can’t take a risk with half a dozen players who aren’t playing regularly. You need to hit the ground running, you can’t wait three games.

“Jack Wilshere, Wayne Rooney, Raheem Sterling would have all just got back from injury - how many others can you risk taking? That’s my logic.

“So for me, Andros Townsend goes.

“He’s an impact player, he’s scoring goals at the moment and he’s confident.

“Get him on the plane!”