Ward-Prowse given England call-up as trio succumb to injury

 

Gareth Southgate has called up Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse for England’s matches against Czech Republic and Montenegro, the Football Association has announced.

 

Ward-Prowse narrowly missed out on a spot in Southgate’s original 25-man squad but has been drafted in as a result of three players withdrawing from injury since last week’s announcement.

 

Manchester City duo John Stones and Fabian Delph and Chelsea starlet Ruben Loftus-Cheek will not report for England duty after picking up injuries over the weekend.

 

Ward-Prowse has only ever been included in one senior England squad before and will bid to make his first appearance for the Three Lions since March 2017.

 

 

Southgate worked heavily with the Southampton midfielder during his time as England Under-21 manager before handing the 24-year-old his senior debut nearly two years ago.

 

Ward-Prowse has arguably never played better since Southampton appointed Ralph Hasenhuttl and many argued the midfielder merited a spot in Southgate’s squad over the likes of Loftus-Cheek and Delph anyway.

 

In fact, only Sadio Mane and Sergio Aguero (both nine) have scored more Premier League goals in 2019 than Ward-Prowse (six).