Euro 2020 heartbreak inspires James Ward-Prowse to succeed

James Ward-Prowse is using the heartache of missing Euro 2020 as fuel in his bid to make England’s World Cup squad this winter.

This time last year the 27-year-old was reeling from the disappointment of being cut from Gareth Southgate’s provisional squad for the rearranged European Championship.

Ward-Prowse could have wallowed in self pity and become embittered, but instead responded by producing his finest season for Southampton and re-establishing himself in the England set-up.

The Saints skipper is now set to start Saturday’s Nations League clash with Euro 2020 final foes Italy – a chance to underline his credentials as the World Cup in Qatar edges closer.

“It is a huge boost,” he said. “The manager highlighted before about seeing certain players in different types of games.

“Hopefully if that opportunity comes, then it’s a good opportunity for myself to showcase what I can do against a high level opposition. It would be a good opportunity to hopefully get some minutes.

Everybody here is in the squad because they perform well for their club- James Ward-Prowse

“It’s a great opportunity to (stake my claim). Everybody here is in the squad because they perform well for their club.

“You can see that in training because the level is so, so high and obviously having missed out on the European Championship squad that is a big hurdle for me that I had to try and overcome.

“But this is a new challenge now a new opportunity and it has given me a bit more of an incentive heading into this World Cup.

“I want to be there and want to be part of this fantastic group and replicate the success we had.”

Ward-Prowse said the Euros disappointment provided an opportunity “to reflect and learn” in the hope “the same does not happen again.”