England U21s captain reflects on senior training and Thursday's return to St. Mary's

James Ward-Prowse enjoyed a small taste of life with the England senior squad this week, giving himself even more motivation to reach the top as he prepares to lead out the Under-21s on home turf.

The Southampton midfielder and U21s captain is one of the most experienced players in Aidy Boothroyd’s squad, having picked up 25 caps to date as they prepare to face Italy at St. Mary’s on Thursday.

And he was invited by Gareth Southgate, along with U21s team-mates Nathan Redmond and Nathaniel Chalobah, to join the Three Lions’ session on Tuesday as the seniors needed some extra bodies in the build-up to their World Cup qualifier with Scotland.

“It felt like when you were 15, training with the first team for the first time,” revealed Ward-Prowse.

“You had those butterflies and nerves and it was a great experience, that's the place where all England players want to play, to be in an environment with top class players and to be on the same team as Wayne Rooney in training, you don't do it every day.

“It has given us all a bit more of an incentive to reach that level on a permanent basis. Everyone is desperate to get there but it's a case of time and it'll happen at the right time.

“I have got to prove on a weekly basis that I can perform for my club to merit an England call up. It'll happen with time but that's the end goal and I'm working hard to get there.”

Focus is now firmly back on the U21s’ next two games for Ward-Prowse and his squad-mates, who travelled to Hampshire on Wednesday afternoon.

First up is a clash with the Italians at what will be a familiar venue for the 22-year-old along with Saints team-mates Redmond and Jack Stephens before it’s across the Channel to Paris for a match with France on Monday evening.

England Under-21s captain James Ward-Prowse challenges Raheem Sterling during training with the senior squad

But with ticket requests for Ward-Prowse already well into double-figures, he admits it’s going to be one of his career highlights to lead out England on his home ground.

“I’m looking forward to it, it should be a good one, I’ve always wanted a fixture to come up here and finally it has,” he said.

“It’s a proud moment, it’s obviously an honour to be captain but to be captain at my home stadium, in front of my family and home fans, then it is something special.

“It’s a good test for us against good quality opposition.

“We are going to face different tests to what we have faced so far in our group.

“We will be getting these tests in the finals, so it’s a good opportunity to try different systems and different things – we need to work out how to beat these teams.”

Tickets for Thursday’s games are still on sale, click here to buy online or buy on the night at the St. Mary’s Stadium ticket office.

Adults £10
Children £5
OAPs £5
Students £5 (Valid NUS card must apply)
Family ticket £20 (two adults and two children)
Disabled Full price according to age category with carer going free
Group bookings for 15 people or more (no age restrictions and bookable in advance only) £5 adults, £2.50 concessions