THE pressure is on Andros Townsend, thanks to his Tottenham team-mate Giovani Dos Santos.

Flying winger Townsend, who made his Ipswich Town debut in last weekend’s 1-1 home draw against Burnley, will be out to impress in his second outing at George Burley’s Crystal Palace this afternoon.

But the 19-year-old has a lot to live up to, following in the footsteps of classy Mexican Dos Santos, who quickly became the darling of Portman Road during his loan stint from Tottenham towards the end of the 2008-09 campaign.

“There’s a lot of pressure on me, because Gio did so well here,” admitted Townsend.

“I have spoken to Gio and he said that he enjoyed his time in Suffolk.

“I’ll be doing my best to show the Ipswich manager and the fans what I can do, but I have a lot to live up to,” added Townsend.

While Town boss Roy Keane has struggled to recruit new players this week, with the exception of defender Darren O’Dea, signed on loan from Celtic, his opposite number at Palace, former Town manager George Burley, has had no problems with dipping into the transfer market.

Even though the Eagles only officially exited administration yesterday, Burley was quick to snap up Dutch star Edgar Davids on a pay-per-play basis, in addition to Town striker Pablo Counago on a season-long loan, and striker Jonathan Obika on loan from Tottenham. All three arrived yesterday, while Gislingham-born Stuart O’Keefe signed from Southend United earlier in the week.

For Townsend, though, as a left winger, his primary concern will be outwitting Palace’s right-back, Nathaniel Clyne, whom he just happens to know!

“I know a few of the Palace lads from my days in the Tottenham Academy,” revealed Townsend.

“I know the right back, Clyne, so hopefully that should be a good battle. I have played in the England (Under-19) squad with him, and I have already spoken to him this week. He’s a good player, but hopefully I can come out on top.

“Last weekend (against Burnley) was just a start. I need to keep improving and showing the manager what kind of player I am.

“My main aims are to get as many games as possible under my belt, and to try to impress the manager. Roy (Keane) said to me there had been a lot of injuries, so I had to go straight into the team.

“Hopefully, I can take this team into the play-offs or to promotion,” concluded Townsend.