Saints Marching
Fansided

Positive emerges for James Ward-Prowse after England recall

ByMarc 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)

Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse has been called up to the England squad after an injury to Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips.

The 26-year-old will be hoping to add to his eight international caps in upcoming World Cup Qualifiers against Andorra and Hungary on Saturday and Tuesday respectively.

Ward-Prowse has been a consistent presence for Saints this season and, after a revealing interview with Hampshire Live recently, fans learnt  that he has had to overcome injury and illness to keep turning out in the Premier League.

He is set to miss the next three top-flight games for Saints after being sent off at Chelsea but looks set for some good minutes for England in this international break as other alternatives struggle with injuries.

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

Southampton’s Ward-Prowse gets chance to push ahead of others again

Kalvin Phillips and Declan Rice look to be in Gareth Southgate’s first-choice line-up each time he prepares for another England training camp. They were ahead of Ward-Prowse for Euro 2020 and have been since.

Perhaps the biggest blow to the Saints captain came when Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was trialled in midfield back in September – a position that he has never played before and another options who was seemingly ahead of Ward-Prowse in the national pecking order.

However, Alexander-Arnold and Phillips now miss October’s fixtures and there is a significant opportunity opening up. He can now stake his claim for a place at next year’s World Cup by drawing back alongside or pushing ahead of those likely to be challenging for his role in the team.

Ward-Prowse is clearly liked by Southgate after the Three Lions’ boss managed him in the England Under-21s setup, although exposure at the highest level may play a big part in some call-ups.

After signing a new contract back in the summer though, Ward-Prowse is committed to St Mary’s and will need to take the chances that come his way whilst other players are unavailable. Given that he will not be playing a part in upcoming games for Saints too, he has a free rein to give his all this time around.