nd Tidell Pierre each scored 12 points and Pierres team-leading nine rebounds

Andros Townsend is keen to make Roy Hodgson’s job as difficult as possible as he looks to secure his place in the final 23-man England squad for Euro 2016. Gates Brown Jersey . Townsend struggled for form and game time with Tottenham at the start of the season but a £12m move to Newcastle in January has reinvigorated him.The 24-year-old has turned in some impressive performances for the Magpies and although it was ultimately not enough to keep Newcastle in the Premier League, it helped secure a berth in Hodgsons provisional 26-man squad for this summers tournament in France. Townsend says his move to Newcastle was the catalyst for his recall Some people were reporting I was in the squad, some that I was out, so it was real relief when I was named in the provisional squad. Now it is up to me to force my way into the final 23, Townsend told Sky Sports News HQ.The start of the season was a disappointment but I always had the faith that if I could get a run of games, my form would get back to where I want it to be and I could break back into the England squad.It has worked out that way, so I am delighted.Hodgson is known for showing loyalty to players he feels have performed well for England, regardless of how they are doing at club level. The manager has to pick 23 players and it is going to be extremely difficult for him. My job is to make it even more difficult with my performances on the pitch. Andros Townsend Townsend knows that may not be enough to secure a place in the managers final selection, though, and he is keen to impress in the upcoming friendlies against Turkey and Australia before the squad is trimmed.I know loyalty is not going to get me on the plane to France, I need to play well in the friendlies if I am given game time, added Townsend.The manager has to pick 23 players from 26 and I know it is going to be extremely difficult for him. My job is to make it even more difficult with my performances on the pitch.Hopefully I can do enough to make that final cut. Townsends form improved greatly after his move to Newcastle in January Townsend has been reunited with five former Spurs colleagues at Englands training camp at St Georges Park and he admits he is pleasantly surprised by just how well they performed this season.They have been incredible. We all knew they had talent but for Tottenham to be challenging for the title so soon, the manager [Mauricio Pochettino] has done a fantastic job and that will benefit England not only at this tournament, but in the future as well, he said.You look at the likes of Dele Alli, he has no fear, and if he gets the chance in France he will play with the same freedom. Gary Cahill was absent with a minor knock as Englands Euro 2016 squad trained for the first time We have got a great squad and players playing at the very highest level. We will be a match for anyone, whichever squad the manager takes out.We are going to be challenging and hopefully we can go all the way. Whichever 23 the manager picks, I am sure they are not going to fear anyone out in France. Also See: Bertrand: The dream is to win it Cahill sidelined by injury Rooney happy up top for England England fixtures Matt Hall Jersey . It was just business as usual for the Thunder at home. Durant scored 32 points and the Thunder beat the Bulls 107-95 on Thursday night for their eighth straight win. Hank Greenberg Jersey . Jason Zucker and Matt Cooke also scored for Minnesota, which has won five of six. Kuemper made five saves in the first, nine in the second, and nine in the third. The rookies best save came with 2:17 left in the third period when he denied former Wild forward Matt Cullen from just outside of the crease on the right side. https://www.cheaptigers.com/739z-gregory...sey-tigers.html . Ibaka equaled a career high with 20 rebounds, adding four blocked shots and 15 points as the Thunder smothered the Milwaukee Bucks offence in a 92-79 victory Saturday night. NEW BRITAIN, Conn. -- Austin Nehls made four 3-pointers and scored 18 points, Khalen Cumberlander added 14 points and Central Connecticut pulled away early from Hartford to win 75-60 in Friday nights opener for both teams.Mustafa Jones and Tidell Pierre each scored 12 points and Pierres team-leading nine rebounds helped CCSU outrebound Hartford 47-33.Cumberlanders early 3-pointer put the Blue Devils up 10-7 on their way to a 36-26 halftime lead and they never trailed. Eric Bowles haad eight of the 24 assists the Blue Devils used in making 30 of 64 attempts from the field (47 percent). Johnny Pesky Jersey. Tafari Whittingham had four blocks.Jalen Ross made three 3-pointers and scored 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting and Jason Dunne added 13 points for the Hawks, who shot 41 percent from the field (25 of 61) and 5 of 15 from the free-throw line. ' ' '