BOSS Ralph Hasenhuttl revealed skipper James Ward-Prowse had been in training with Saints all week and would be available for selection at Everton on Saturday.

The England midfielder has been struggling with a knee problem which had prevented him playing in the St Mary’s side’s pre-season games.

But Hasenhuttl confirmed the England midfielder would be fit to face the Toffees in their season opener at Goodison Park.

Asked about Ward-Prowse ahead of the trip to Merseyside, Hasenhuttl said: “He is going to be okay.

“He trained for the whole week and I am looking forward to having him back on Saturday.”

Only youngster Will Smallbone remains out for Hasenhuttl’s side with a long-term knee injury at present.

Assessing the squad as a whole, the Austrian boss said: “Everybody is fit. After this hard and tough pre-season, this is a good signal.

“We worked good with them, had a good balance with pushing them hard and also recovering in the right moments.

“The worst you can get is if you are training very hard for four or five weeks and then get an injury in the last week, so touch wood, that did not happen.”