PRANKSTER Claude Puel tricked James Ward-Prowse and Nathan Redmond by hauling them into his office at Staplewood, telling them he ‘had a problem’ with the duo – before finally revealing they’d both received England call-ups!

Ward-Prowse and Redmond were picked for the England senior team for the first time this week for games against Germany and Lithuania.

Puel had been informed that Gareth Southgate intended to select the pair, and the St Mary’s boss decided to wind them up before telling them the truth.

“I told them both that I have a problem with them, with their attitude in the training session and called them in to know their opinion,” he smiled.

"But big congratulations to them both and also to all the club, their team-mates, staff and all the trainers that have work with them.

“All the staff, all the trainers have been important for their evolution and progress and it’s a good reward.”

The Saints boss was delighted for the pair.

“It’s a good reward for everyone,” he said. “Many seasons the club work with quality and evolution of young players and it’s important to continue that.

"You can see all that with James.

“I looked at an interview of when he was 13. It was the same spirit. I think James is the ideal son in law.

“It’s fantastic, he’s an intelligent player. He makes progress because he listened. It’s easy to train James and for Nathan it’s a talented player.

“Sometimes he didn’t listen enough but he make progress since the beginning of the season, with a good clinical for the last game.

“It’s important he understands he has all the quality to become a strong striker, a very good striker because with his feet, his quality, I think he can score other goals and give a good assist.”