Andros Townsend scores twice for Tottenham Hotspur Under-21s as transfer speculation mounts

Tottenham Hotspur winger Andros Townsend scored twice in a nine-goal thriller against Chelsea Under-21s amid mounting speculation over his future at the club.

Townsend, 24, made his fifth consecutive appearance for the club's reserve side on Monday 11 January but his brace couldn't prevent a 5-4 loss to their London rivals. The England international scored from the penalty spot at Broadhall Way and drew his side level to make the score 4-4 after going 4-2 down, before Chelsea clinched a late winner.

Townsend has become a marginalised figure at the club this season under Mauricio Pochettino, last featuring in the Premier League in what was a three-minute cameo in a goalless draw with Liverpool in October 2015.

Newcastle United and West Brom remain linked with the winger but according to the Daily Telegraph, Spurs chairman Daniel Levy will not consider any offers below the club's £9.3m ($14m) valuation. The club will also not consider a loan move for the player. According to the Evening Standard, Spurs have already turned down an offer of £10m for Townsend but the player and his camp remain confident of securing a move before the winter window closes.

Townsend has maintained match fitness in his frequent outings with the Under-21 side. Spurs fought back from 4-2 down with eight minutes remaining on Monday night but were undone by Jake Clarke-Salter's late winner.

"The disappointment is that having got out of jail and fighting back from 4-2 to 4-4 with two minutes to go, we didn't manage the game better at that point," said Spurs Under-21 boss Ugo Ehiogu via the club's official website. "And once again, it showed the importance of defending set-pieces and concentration.

"There was enthusiasm, spirit and hard work but goals change games and when you look at the facts in black and white, we've conceded five goals at home – or we've scored four goals at home and still lost the game. It was devastating for the players after the way they hauled themselves back into it to then lose in injury time."