Southampton's James Ward-Prowse back in training with Saints

The 26-year-old midfielder hasn’t missed a minute of football for two seasons in a Saints shirt, with incredible numbers of gametime that could have been put at risk after suffering injury in a friendly.

The Portsmouth-born Saints academy product is integral to the side, after netting eight goals and registering eight assists in the Premier League last season.

Ward-Prowse has been capped eight times for England and scored on the international stage too, but after missing out on the European Championship squad this summer will have focus fully on Saints’ impending campaign.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent, Hasenhuttl said: “This pre-season he had for the first time since I’m here a little bit of problems with his knee after a foul in a friendly game, he couldn’t train with the team until today (Tuesday).

“Now he’s back in training, he’s hungry and he’s very happy. James is only happy when he can train, he wasn’t so happy last week.

“Finally, we’ve brought him back onto the pitch now and this is good for us.”

It’s not just his impact on the pitch which makes him so crucial to the way Saints tick, hailed as a true professional by many. 

With the departure of the likes of Danny Ings and potentially Jannik Vestergaard, his experience and Premier League know-how is something CEO Martin Semmens insists even potential signings seek.

He added: “Every team would want him but for us he’s beyond that level.

“I’ve got in front of me the six or seven players that signed this summer, I think at least half of them say they want to join for the manager, the city, the club. But all of them say ‘and to play with James Ward-Prowse'.

“Tino (Livramento) asked the same question, ‘he’s going to be here isn’t he, because I want to play with him.’

“Being fit I’m sure Ralph will get him onto the pitch on Saturday.”