JAMES Ward-Prowse has been nominated for the Premier League’s January player of the month award.

Although Saints only played in three matches this month after Newcastle was postponed, the 27-year-old has been recognised for his performances that included the stunning Wolves free-kick.

Saints’ skipper was also instrumental in the 4-1 victory over Brentford on January 11, with Sport Republic in attendance for a first time.

He then scored that world-class set-piece at the Molineux, albeit in a 3-1 defeat, before Saints held Manchester City to a 1-1 draw at St Mary’s last weekend.

City boss Pep Guardiola described the midfielder as “the best free-kick taker in the world,” following his sumptuous effort at Wolves.

The Saints man's opponents for the award are Jarrod Bowen, Kevin De Bruyne, David De Gea, Jack Harrison and Joao Moutinho.

Ward-Prowse joins Tino Livramento in picking up national recognition this campaign, after the teenager was nominated for the October player of the month award.

The England international actually scored in three successive Premier League matches, but that was at the end of December.

Ever-present Ward-Prowse has only missed two league games all season, and they came when he was suspended following a red card at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge.