JAMES Ward-Prowse admits it would be “perfect” if Gareth Southgate was to hand him a shock England call-up to his first Three Lions squad today.

Southgate named Ward-Prowse in his first-ever England Under-21s team in August 2013 and last year handed him the captaincy of the young Lions side.

Now Southgate is preparing to name his first Three Lions roster as permanent boss today and there could be a surprise repeat if Ward-Prowse is given the nod.

“That would be perfect,” said Ward-Prowse. “But it’s one of those things where I have to prove myself on a weekly basis that I can play in the Premier League.

“That will warrant a call up.”

The 22-year-old midfielder has been mooted for possible selection for the games against Germany and Lithuania, alongside Saints team-mate Nathan Redmond, who was also named in Southgate’s first under-21s squad.

Both Saints men have been in fine form of late, helping Claude Puel’s side to back-to-back Premier League triumphs.

Although Ward-Prowse, who was called a “big prospect” by ex-England boss Roy Hodgson, is excited by the idea of playing for his country, he is convinced he’s yet to prove worthy of a call.

He said: “You never know though it would obviously be a great achievement and a great honour to do so.

“At the end of it though I just need to focus on what I’m doing with the club at the minute.

“If I can carry on starting regularly and playing to a high level that call will come eventually.

“Regardless of whether I get a call up or not I want to just keep on working hard to try and achieve it.”

Southgate is said to be ready to name an extended squad for the upcoming games because of a potential injury crisis.

With Jordan Henderson out injured and with AFC Bournemouth’s Arsenal loan man Jack Wilshere falling out favour at the Cherries lately, there seems there might be an opportunity in midfield.

What might help Ward-Prowse’s cause is his close relationship with Southgate, who he worked with for more than three years with the under-21s.

He has already been involved in training with the seniors under the 46-year-old during his interim reign and  the Saints man says “couldn’t think of a better person to lead the country’s football team”.

“He’s a great manager to play for not only as a footballing person but a man as well,” Ward-Prowse said of the England boss.

“He’s a great person to be around and I’ve had a lot of highs working with him and a few lows as well.

“But he’s given me a good platform and I’ve enjoyed every minute of working under him.”

Ward-Prowse believes Southgate, who replaced Sam Allardyce as national team boss, is the right fit for England long term.

“I think he is,” he said. “He’s certainly not afraid of bringing young players through.

“Through my experience of working with him I couldn’t think of a better person to lead the country’s football team and help the team develop and grow.”

While Ward-Prowse is keen to keep his own feet on the ground over a potential call-up, he wasn’t scared to back Saints team-mate Redmond for selection.

The in form 22-year-old netted a brace in the 4-3 win at Watford last time out and Southgate has been heavily tipped to call-up his former under-21 prodigy.

“He’s come into the club and done fantastically well, especially in recent weeks he’s performed very well and contributed a lot to the games,” Ward-Prowse said.

“But he’s got a good head on him, he works very hard.

“In training he’s always showing glimpses of what he can do and if he gets that call it wouldn’t be a surprise.”

England play Germany in Dortmund next Wednesday in a friendly before facing Lithuania at Wembley on Sunday 26 March in a World Cup qualifier.