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Southampton: Ward-Prowse sent home by England as a precaution

By Marc Walker

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 25: James Ward-Prowse of England during the FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar qualifying match between England and San Marino at Wembley Stadium on March 25, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 25: James Ward-Prowse of England during the FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar qualifying match between England and San Marino at Wembley Stadium on March 25, 2021 in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images) /
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Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse has been sent home by England as a precautionary measure ahead of their meeting with Poland this evening.

A statement from southamptonfc.com confirmed that the 26-year-old had returned to the South Coast with fitness in mind after playing a part in last week’s World Cup Qualifiers against San Marino and Albania.

The games keep coming thick and fast for Ward-Prowse and he is likely to be involved for Saints when they take on Burnley on Sunday afternoon.

Part of the decision that England have made will be based on the amount of football he has played. He has been an ever-present for Saints so far in 2020/21 and is yet to miss a minute of domestic football this season.

James Ward-Prowse of England (Photo by Adam Davy – Pool/Getty Images)
James Ward-Prowse of England (Photo by Adam Davy – Pool/Getty Images) /

England keep Southampton and other clubs in mind

England manager Gareth Southgate called-up a squad of players to face San Marino, Albania that had plenty of quality in it and he has used everyone wisely.

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Some players have had more minutes that others, but no outfield player has played two full games yet and this reduces the chance of picking up an injury before returning to club football.

Fixture lists have been congested this campaign as teams squeeze their matches into a condensed schedule. Even England will have had to play one extra game compared to international breaks in previous years.

Despite missing out on tonight’s meeting with Poland, Ward-Prowse has had a successful time with his country and has done himself no harm at all ahead of this summer’s European Championships.

He netted his first senior international goal in the 5-0 win over San Marino – arriving with a perfectly-timed run into the box to finish Ben Chilwell’s low cross expertly.

With fitness taken care of and a confident player returning to lead his team this coming weekend, Saints can certainly benefit from having an England regular in their ranks.

Next. Saints get boost ahead of Sunday's meeting with Burnley. dark

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