Daily Echo:

JAMES Ward-Prowse believes that a League Cup final victory will act as a springboard to take Saints to the next level.

Claude Puel’s men take on Manchester United in the final on Sunday and a victory would mark another high point in Saints’ rise from League One to Premier League.

Saints have improved their league position in each of their last seven seasons, have been in the Europa League for the past two campaigns as well as establishing themselves in the Premier League – despite a number of players and managers leaving.

A major accolade like the League Cup is one thing that has been missing from their years of improvements.

He said: “I really do think it could be [a springboard]. The club have been on that journey for a long time.

“The club has done very well to keep that going.

“I think it can go even higher.

“We have spoken about a cup run for a number of years now. To finally be there, we are going to make the most of it.”

For Ward-Prowse, who is Saints’ longest serving player at the tender age of 22, pulling on the Saints shirt and heading out at Wembley will be an emotional moment.

Ward-Prowse, who joined the club at eight years of age, plans to take a moment just before kick-off at the national arena to reflect on the journey he and the club have been on.

“There will be a part of me that will be looking back and see how far you have come, especially as a young player, and the journey you have made,” he said.

“It's great to think I was watching the first team many years ago - and now I am representing them at Wembley.

“It's a great journey to have.

“But the end goal is to be walking up those steps as a winner, holding the trophy aloft for the fans. And that is what we will be aiming to do.”

But once he’s out of the tunnel, he will be focussed on trying to thwart United’s immense quality.

He wants Saints to make an impact on the game early.

He said: “Especially in the final it’s important to make your stamp early on in the game.

“Those are the sort of things we will be working on and making sure we have watched videos of them and we know what to do. “I’m sure we’ll be tactically clued up on what the game plan is.”