Andros Townsend joked that he’d be swapping his now infamous chicken feet diet for turkey toes at Christmas dinner, but admits he can’t enjoy a the festive feast while his focus is on the biggest game of the season at Sheffield United, tomorrow on Boxing Day.
The 32-year-old scored his first Hatters goal as they beat Newcastle United 1-0 at home on Saturday and there will be few festive frolics as Town plan for a relegation six-pointer against the basement boys of the Premier League.
Luton are still in the relegation zone despite that victory over the Magpies, but they hold a three-point buffer over Sheffield United whose 1-1 draw at Aston Villa moved them onto nine points.
Townsend’s goal on Saturday – only his second ever with his head – marked a moment that he thought may never come after he suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury last year and then had a contract offer withdrawn in the summer by Burnley.
At that point he hadn’t played competitively since March 2022, but Luton offered him a short-term eal until January. And part of Townsend’s revival has been the research he’s done into maximising his physical fitness and recovery time to help prolong his career. He revealed last month that he’s been scoffing chicken feet, for a collagen boost.
Asked what would be on his menu for Christmas dinner, he joked: “Turkey feet!”
Whatever he’s doing appears to be working as he’s now an increasingly influential member of Luton’s team. And a man of his vast experience knows the importance of the basement battle at Bramall Lane.
“We can’t really enjoy our Christmas Day, can’t really enjoy our Christmas dinner. It’s probably the biggest game of the season so we need to be on it,” Townsend said after the Newcastle victory, adding: “We’re going back to the training ground to recover and to focus on a big game on Boxing Day.”
The real order of the festive fixture against Sheffield United will be three points, which won’t be easy as the Blades have had something of a new manager bounce with the return of former boss Chris Wilder. One win and a draw in his first four games has meant that the Yorkshire side haven’t been cut adrift at the bottom.
“They’ve been fantastic,” said Townsend, adding: “Burnley are winning as well. Everton are winning, Bournemouth are winning. Everyone seems to be winning so it’s going to be a tough game.”
Like Townsend, Ross Barkley has been experiencing something of a renaissance at Luton Town and he too recognises the importance of the trip to Sheffield United.
“They were a top side last year and they’ve come into the league and not had the greatest of starts, but they’ll make it difficult for us. It will be a bit of a six-pointer in a way, or a final maybe. Two teams near the bottom, fighting to earn more points and stay in the league.
“So, it will be a big game and we expect a challenge and we’re up for it.”
