JAMES Ward-Prowse lost out in the battle for the Premier League player of the season award.

Saints' skipper was part of an eight-man shortlist for the trophy, after a fine season for the south coast club, netting nine goals.

The fan vote was combined with those of the 20 club captains and a panel of football experts.

That saw Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne come out on top.

He beat competition from Ward-Prowse, Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold (both Liverpool), Joao Cancelo (Man City), Jarrod Bowen (West Ham), Heung-min Son (Tottenham) and Bukayo Saka (Arsenal).

Discussing his nomination for the award, Ward-Prowse told the Daily Echo: "“(It’s) a massive honour, it was a little bit strange reading it at first. I thought ‘really?’.

“I’m always trying to keep myself grounded and to have that nomination is crazy, something to be proud of. It’s great to be recognised in that respect, very, very special."

Man City's Phil Foden won the Premier League's young player of the season award, for the second year in a row.

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