FORMER Saints manager Harry Redknapp named James Ward-Prowse as one of two England players who can be disappointed with their World Cup omission.
Captain of the St Mary’s side, Ward-Prowse has missed out on each of the last two major tournaments by the skin of his teeth.
Having made the preliminary squad for the European Championships last summer, the 28-year-old had set his heart on making the World Cup in Qatar this time around.
After a poor run of form in the eight weeks leading up to Gareth Southgate’s selection, the younger Conor Gallagher was preferred in his spot.
Read more: Southampton have needed Ward-Prowse for years - now, he needs them
And while Redknapp - who was at the helm when Saints were last relegated from the Premier League and also a former Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth gaffer - admitted it is not a “big surprise”, he does feel for the 11-cap ace.
“Gareth’s named his squad now, so exciting couple of weeks ahead for the build-up. We’re all looking forward to this World Cup,” he said in his BetVictor column.
“One or two, not massive surprises, but one or two of the lads will be disappointed not to go. I think Ivan Toney will be disappointed. Ward-Prowse, I thought he might have gone,” he added.
“But in the main, I think it pretty much picked itself, so this is the squad. I’m going to tell you the team I would’ve played and the system I would play.
“I’m sure Gareth will play a completely different system and probably a very different team, but this would be my team.”
Redknapp went on to suggest a midfield double-pivot of Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice, leaving Jordan Henderson and Gallagher as the backup options.
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