Andros Townsend is determined to ​make the most of his place in England’s ​provisional ​squad for the European Championship after enduring one of the most difficult periods of his career with Tottenham.

The 24-year-old was not in England’s thinking earlier in the season and was some way from Mauricio Pochettino’s first-team plans at Spurs, playing with the club’s under-21s and resigning himself to a summer watching Euro 2016 rather than playing in it.

A move to Newcastle United gave him a late opportunity to impress Roy Hodgson and, under Rafael Benítez, Townsend flourished towards the end of the season. Of his difficulties at Spurs, he said: “When you’re going to Chester on a Monday night to play against Liverpool under-21s you don’t see yourself making the England squad for the Euros six months later. I didn’t foresee it but had enough faith in my ability to know that if I got the chance to play regularly I’d get my form back.

''It was no secret that I wasn’t playing enough football and my confidence was low. I needed to get back playing week-in week-out. I knew if I got back to my best I could get in the England squad. On a personal level it’s worked out but it’s a shame I couldn’t help Newcastle stay in the Premier League.

''The lowest point was probably when I was playing for the under-21s and the boys were doing so well, winning games at the top of the Premier League. I wondered what would happen with my career so ​I ​was grateful that Newcastle paid a lot of money for me and helped me get things back on track.

''Even when I wasn’t playing much at Spurs Roy Hodgson always had faith in me and put me in the squad, and nine times out of 10 I’ve done well for him. Hopefully I can repay that faith in the friendlies and make sure I get in the [final, 23-man] squad.”

England begin their preparations for the Euros with a friendly against Turkey at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, although the squad who have trained at St George’s Park this week has been without players from Manchester United and Liverpool because of their FA Cup and Europa League commitments.

Benítez’s future at Newcastle has yet to be resolved and Townsend, who hopes the Spaniard stays at St James’ Park beyond the summer, said: “He’s been great with me. When he walked through the door I was struggling with an injury but he said: ‘I know you’ve got an injury, I’m not going to rush you, I’m going to help you get back to your best.’ In the last few weeks I’ve been close to my best.”