At the same time, Townsend has not had things all his own way. The Tottenham player also picked up an injury in December that has kept him out of action until recent weeks, leaving little time to impress England manager Roy Hodgson before he makes his final decision about who gets on the plane.
But then there is another figure in the wing-mirrors, a young upstart determined to stake his own claim – 19-year-old Sterling.
It was Hodgson who gave the Liverpool player his debut at just 15 in a friendly against Borussia Monchengladbach in August 2010 and also his first England cap against Sweden 16 months ago.
But his current club manager Brendan Rodgers believes the England boss will see an even more grown-up Sterling, focused on his game and so determined to keep out of the spotlight that he has moved house to Southport to avoid the bright lights of the city.
“First of all, they [England] will see his maturity as a man,” said Rodgers.
“He’s a kid who has just turned 19 but he’s a father now and that brings maturity into your life.
“He’s coping with that remarkably well. You see a young player who’s getting stronger and stronger every day; a young player who, tactically, has improved his level. I just think that a year or so down the line they’ll be seeing a player with much greater maturity and a young player who has produced in big games.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain himself has seen Sterling grow up at close quarters.
“Raheem’s a good friend and someone I’ve been close to, with the same agent, from when he was 14 and moved to Liverpool.
“It’s good for me to see him doing so well, as a friend. He’s a massive threat to any left or right-back in the world and that’s really good for England as a country. And even better, to see young players is good for the future.
“It makes it easier because you can have a laugh and joke along the way. That’s football. There’s always competition for places, club football or international football and that’s the beauty of it. You have to put in the best performances you can and that you deserve your place.”
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