"The international clearance has just come through this morning."

The television pundit broke down on Sky Sports as he watched footage of his friend.

Soccer Saturday: the show that gives a platform to the shouting of Jeff Stelling, the wisecracks of Paul Merson and the comic genius of Chris Kamara.

Paul Merson challenged Andros Townsend to "win some medals" before calling him out after the Tottenham winger poked fun at the former Arsenal midfielder for questioning his England credentials.