£100k-a-week star ‘very frustrated’ after devastating snub

Southampton star James Ward-Prowse will be ‘frustrated’ after being left out of England’s World Cup squad but will not look to seal a St Mary’s exit, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The central midfielder, who would have been looking to add to his 11 caps in Qatar, was snubbed by Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate.

What’s the latest news involving Ward-Prowse?

The 26-man squad heading to the World Cup to represent England was announced last week, but Ward-Prowse was among the big names to miss out on grabbing a spot.

It is yet another international setback for the Southampton captain, having also been cut from the contingent involved in Euro 2020.

Former Saints boss Harry Redknapp has admitted that Ward-Prowse will be ‘disappointed’ after being overlooked once again and can feel hard done by.

O’Rourke has previously told GIVEMESPORT that Southampton ‘will be determined’ to keep the 28-year-old on the south coast.

Nathan Jones, who was appointed as the club’s boss earlier this month, will now be able to run the rule over Ward-Prowse at the Staplewood training ground while the Premier League season is put on hold due to the World Cup.

Read more: World Cup 2022: Group B preview – England, Iran, Wales & USA

What has Pete O’Rourke said about Ward-Prowse?

O’Rourke believes Ward-Prowse will have found his omission from the England squad tough to take.

Although some reckon Saints’ skipper needs to move onto pastures new to improve his chances of heading to an international tournament, the journalist feels a quickfire exit is not in the offing.

O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “James Ward-Prowse will obviously be very frustrated to miss out on another tournament for England.

“Some people will suggest that because he’s not at a bigger club in the Premier League, it’s hurt his chances of making Gareth Southgate’s final squad, but he’s been very loyal to Southampton.”

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Should Ward-Prowse have been in England’s squad?

There is no doubt that Southgate has an abundance of talented midfielders to select from, but Ward-Prowse – who has played every minute of Southampton’s Premier League campaign – can feel hard done by.

He has been a reliable figure in the middle of the park for a number of years now, having racked up 380 appearances for Saints, and he could have made England even more deadly from set pieces in Qatar.

Only David Beckham has scored more Premier League free-kicks than Ward-Prowse, while his delivery from corners often causes chaos in the penalty area.

England have a woeful record when it comes to penalty shoot-outs in major tournaments, but the Southampton talisman is regularly on target from the spot, having converted 16 of his 20 attempts.

Southgate may have made an error after opting against taking Ward-Prowse, who is on a contract worth £100,000-per-week, to the World Cup.

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