JAMES Ward-Prowse urged for the "appropriate action" to be taken following a "really good first step" of a social media boycott.

Between 3pm on Friday and 11.59pm last night, Saints and their players joined a coordinated boycott of various online platforms in a bid to highlight the abuse suffered by footballers.

Various other sports governing bodies also joined the blackout, including the English & Wales Cricket Board and Rugby Football Union.

Saints youngsters Nathan Tella and Alex Jankewitz have both spoken out about the racist abuse they suffered following their respective first Premier League starts for the club this season.

Asked if he has spoken with the pair in his role as captain to support them through that time earlier this year, Ward-Prowse said: "I think those conversations are important for us to support them, to speak to them and to let them know that we are with them together.

"They are team-mates, but more importantly our mates and we support them and are behind them the whole way.

"I think it (the boycott) has obviously been a really good first step to showing that there needs to be change and hopefully the appropriate action can be taken now."