Tottenham ban England winger Townsend after bust-up

File photo of Tottenham winger Andros Townsend. (AFP PHOTO/GABRIEL BOUYS)

LONDON: Tottenham winger Andros Townsend has been banned from training with the first team and dropped from the squad after an on-the-pitch with a fitness coach.

Townsend was pictured pushing and arguing with Spurs trainer Nathan Gardiner on the pitch at White Hart Lane following the team's 3-1 win over Aston Villa.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino banished Townsend from the first team and said he would not be part of the squad for Thursday's Europa League match at home to Anderlecht.

"He did not train with the group. He is not available to be selected tomorrow, he is not in the squad," Pochettino said. "It's because of Monday. When you behave in the wrong way you always need to pay. It's always my decision when he is available again to be part of the squad."

Townsend, 24, has yet to start a Premier League match this season and was an unused substitute against Villa. "As a manager I am very fair but the discipline is very important," Pochettino said. "The staff need to show respect to the player and the player needs to show respect to the staff."

Townsend has since apologised but is believed to be considering his future at the club with Pochettino opting to call upon the likes of Christian Eriksen, Mousa Dembele, Erik Lamela and Nacer Chadli.

"Has he apologised? Yes, he recognised it was a mistake," added Pochettino. "I can understand because I was a player and when you don't play you're unhappy and sometimes your expectation is bigger than the manager provides you.

"But it was not normal behaviour. He is young and you need to understand that it isn't the way to impress the manager. He needs to learn about football, about behaviour, about discipline, about a lot of things. Football is not only about taking the ball in your feet and playing. You have a responsibility as a professional."

Meanwhile, Tottenham have been boosted by the return of South Korean striker Son Heung-min for Thursday's match against Anderlecht. Son has been sidelined for almost six weeks with a foot problem.