TURF LOVE

Kompany: I was right to axe Town crier

- DAVID ANDERSON

BURNLEY V LUTON

KO: 7.45pm, TNT REF: Tony Harrington

VINCENT KOMPANY insists he has no regrets over his decision to dump Andros Townsend, leaving the ex-England midfielder in tears.

Townsend says he broke down when Kompany went back on his offer of a one-year deal in August because he did not want him blocking the development of his younger players.

The former Tottenham winger, who was released by Everton in July after being out since March 2022 with a serious knee injury, returns to Turf Moor tonight with Luton and Kompany insists his call benefited everyone.

Townsend, 32, has flourished at the Hatters, earning a new longer-term deal at the start of this month, while Kompany is happy with the progress of Luca Koleosho, Wilson Odobert and Jacob Bruun Larsen.