Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend has insisted that he was not motivated by money when he left Newcastle United after just six months at the club.
The 25-year-old signed for the Eagles in the summer transfer window after the Magpies were relegated to the Championship.
Townsend, who spent seven years of his career at Tottenham Hotspur, has admitted that Newcastle was the first club where he felt "loved", but he believes that he had no choice but to leave.
The winger's England future played a part in the decision as he felt that featuring in the Championship would hamper his chances of making it into the squad.
"I made the tough decision," The Independent quotes Townsend as saying. "Nobody knows what is going on in your head. Everyone on the outside goes 'ahh he's left Newcastle, gone to Palace, it must be about the money,' but nobody seems to think us players are actually motivated about getting the best out of themselves, making the most of our career, playing in the greatest division in the world.
"England featured in that decision. Roy [Hodgson] (former England manager) did say it didn't matter if I was playing in the Premier League or Championship, but when he left I knew if I was playing in the Championship it would it was nigh on impossible to get in the squad so it was a factor in my decision."
Townsend received a call-up to Gareth Southgate's England squad last week after Raheem Sterling withdrew due to injury.
The Three Lions are due to face Malta and Slovenia in World Cup qualifiers.
Danielle Joynson
