ENGLAND new boys James Ward-Prowse and Nathan Redmond have been held up as shining examples of Saints’ dedication to youth by proud team-mate Oriol Romeu.

Saints command a reputation of bringing through young players, nurturing them and helping on to the international stage.

And now two more of the club’s stars could make their national team debuts, with Ward-Prowse and Redmond expected to play some part in the Three Lions’ friendly against Germany tonight.

Romeu harbours his own aspirations of breaking into his country’s side, Spain, but for now is only delighted for Ward-Prowse and Redmond.

“It’s very good for this club [for Ward-Prowse and Redmond to be called up] because they are trying to get young players in and develop them,” he said. “Prowsey and Redmond are just one of those examples.”

Ward-Prowse, 22, joins the likes of Luke Shaw, Calum Chambers, Adam Lallana, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott in coming through the club’s Staplewood Academy to become a member of the England squad.

Meanwhile Redmond, 23, is inducted in to a group of players to have been brought from elsewhere to St Mary’s and broken into their respective national sides, like Jay Rodriguez, Graziano Pelle, Jose Fonte, and Rickie Lambert.

“I’m just happy to see them having their rewards for what they’ve been doing throughout the years,” Romeu continued.

“Nathan has started the season very well, scoring goals and he’s been called up now, so it’s just very good.

“They both deserve to be called up.

“The last one or two months for Prowsey have been very good.

“He’s playing in a position he hasn’t played much in before but he’s playing very well, he‘s adapted amazingly and it’s good to see them having these opportunities and these rewards.”

Romeu has been in exceptional form himself this campaign, becoming a key player at Saints since Victor Wanyama’s departure.

But as many of his team-mates join-up with their national teams, the defensive midfielder remains at Staplewood to train with the Saints men not out on duty.

The 25-year-old has ambitions of breaking in the Spanish team, but at present doesn’t mind focusing his time solely on domestic football.

“I’m just more focused on what’s going on here. If something comes I’ll be very pleased and happy but I’m focused on my team,” he said.

Usually an international break represents an opportunity to reflect and, for some who aren’t out on national service, a chance to recover.

But Saints have had just two games in a sleepy March and Romeu would rather build momentum with a run of games.

He said: “We’ve rested enough. We want to play more games now. We’ve only played twice in a month and now next month is going to be very busy.

“Now we have to make sure we’re physically ready for the next challenge in the month coming.

“We want to get higher [in the Premier League] – we want to get a better position in the table.”

Romeu has an optimist’s view of the lack of games.

“Looking at the positive side, we have been in a very strong physical condition and that has probably given us more chance to win and play better,” he said.

“We would have loved to play more games and now it’s a pity to stop playing because personally I’d rather have another game next week.”