Andros Townsend says he’s in the best shape of his career at 32 but that he is still plotting how to be a better footballer than he was in his “physical prime”.
Talks are also ongoing about extending the England international’s stay at Luton Town beyond the end of January after the Hatters handed him a short-term contract in the summer.
Before that, Townsend hadn’t played since March 2022 after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury while at Everton.
He spent pre-season with Burnley and was promised a contract but had an offer withdrawn at the 11th hour and that’s when newly-promoted Luton stepped in.
Townsend has been in sparkling form for the Hatters, scoring his first for the club, a winner in the last home game against his former club Newcastle, but he believes there’s even more to come.
“Maybe I’m deluded but I want to go beyond where I was,” he said, adding: “I feel like I’m only getting fitter. I’ve done a lot of research into my body, into recovery and being in the best shape possible.
“I feel like I’ve got another level to go. Fitness-wise, I’m staying in the team because of my fitness and how much I can help the team physically.
“Each game I’m on the pitch, I feel like I’m getting better technically as well. I’m still rusty, I’m still losing the ball when I shouldn’t, I’m still hitting the first man with my crosses but the more games I get I’m going to get better and I do feel I’ve got another level to get to.”
Townsend has documented the measures he’s been taking get back to full fitness including yoga, mouth-taping when sleeping, using hyperbaric chambers and the most infamous, his diet of chicken feet, due to the collagen it provides him, aiding recovery.
He said: “I’m in the best shape of my career. I’m probably lacking match fitness but in terms of being ready for the next game, I’m in the best shape.
“Touch wood, but I don’t really feel fatigue or muscle tiredness as I did when I was in my physical prime at 28 or 29.”
Talking about his contract situation, with his current deal finishing at the end of January, Townsend told BBC Radio 5 Live: “There’s talks going on in the background. I’m 99 per cent sure something will get sorted in terms of a longer deal”
