SAINTS midfielder James Ward-Prowse has been named as the new England Under-21 captain.

The 20-year-old takes over from Jack Butland and will now wear the armband for Gareth Southgate's squad.

Ward-Prowse is an important part of the under-21 set-up and has been capped 13 times for his country at that level.

Explaining the decision, Southgate said: "James will be captain, and I would see him being the captain now for the rest of the period he is with us.

"He has captained us in a couple of games before and is one of a couple of the more senior players who could have done it, but we think his values are good in terms of his ability as a player, him being an exciting prospect, and I also think he integrates well with other people."

The Young Lions play their first matches since June's European Championships finals when they face the United States' Under-23s in a friendly in Preston on Thursday, before taking on Norway Under-21s away in a Euro 2017 qualifier on Monday.

Ward-Prowse is among a handful of survivors from the summer tournament featuring in the squad that has been named for the double-header over the next few days.

The Saints star has previously been named-checked by Roy Hodgson, manager of the senior squad, as one that is being watched for a potential call-up at some stage.