England international and free agent Andros Townsend has been training with Luton Town for a week, with boss Rob Edwards saying any deal would have to be work for the player and the club.
The 32-year-old winger left Everton at the end of last season and has been without a club since, but publicly admitted that he was left in tears after a move to Burnley fell through at the 11th hour.
Townsend, who had spells at Crystal Palace and Town’s opponents in the Premier League tomorrow, Tottenham, will travel with the Hatters’ Development Squad for tonight’s Premier League Cup clash against Leeds at York.
Asked about a possible deal for the Londoner, Edwards said: “There is obviously room in the squad with 24, we’ve got room for one more if we wanted to bring someone else in.
“Andrés is available at the moment, so he’s come in and has been training for a week and he’s playing in a game tonight for the youngsters up at Leeds, so we’ve been able to get a good look at him. And, I’ve got to stress this, for him to have a good look at us as well.
“He’s someone who’s had a fantastic playing career. He’s still really, really keen. He’s hungry to play still, but it’s got to be right for him, for both parties.”
But a deal won’t hinge on whether Townsend plays and performs tonight. Edwards said: “I don’t think it’s just purely a decision on tonight. We’ve had him around for a week and the game tonight will be good to see the bigger pitch stuff, but, again, I’ll stress it, it’s got to be right for him as well.
“It’s as much as him having the right feel for Luton Town as it is for us and what he can add to the group.”
Townsend has played over 250 times in the Premier League and has had a pre-season with Burnley, so Edwards said of his abilities: “I’ve seen real signs of quality, yeah. What we’ve got to make sure we’re getting, is if we’re going to add to the group, they can help us and make us better.
“Again, it’s got to be the right fit, the right character, but it’s also got to be right for the player and make sure that he’s happy with the club and that our style can fit him as well.”
Asked how much of a benefit it will be to his squad, training with a player of Townsend’s experience, regardless of whether a deal can be reached, Edwards said: “I think it’s good. Put yourself in the players’ shoes, you don’t know what they’ll be thinking.
“Some might be thinking that it’s more competition. Some others will see his quality, his work ethic and how he acts around the place, because he’s a diligent worker, great around the place and looks after himself, so some of those players will see his standards as well, and that’s really good.
“It’s hard to tell, because I can’t get in people’s heads and so I don’t know how they’ll take it but the training, while he’s been in, has been very good.”
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