SAINTS boss Nathan Jones vowed James Ward-Prowse still had a future as an England international and urged him to use his World Cup omission as “motivation” going forward.

Ward-Prowse was not named in the Three Lions’ 26-man group for this winter’s tournament in Qatar. England were eventually knocked out by finalists France in the last eight.

It was the second major tournament the Saints skipper was not selected for, after also being omitted for the European Championship in 2021.

Asked about the decision not to select Ward-Prowse before the tournament, England boss Gareth Southgate said: “With James, he is really competing profile-wise with (Jude) Bellingham and (Jordan) Henderson, maybe to a lesser degree (Conor) Gallagher.

“I don’t see him in the same profile as (Declan) Rice or (Kalvin) Phillips, they are different types of players.

“He is just behind those guys, frankly. It’s as simple as that.”

Ward-Prowse could be back in competitive action for Saints tomorrow (7.45pm), as they host Lincoln City in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup.

Asked whether he felt Ward-Prowse still had a big future as an international, despite not making the plane to Qatar, Jones said: “He’s definitely got a future as an international player, I have no doubt about that because he has the quality.

“He has different qualities to other people that make him a good choice.

“I’m not going to comment on him not going to the World Cup because that’s a decision that’s out of my hands before I got here. That’s a decision that we, as a football club, respect.

“For me on a personal point of view, I have managed to work with James for a month now. I have been delighted from the first day that he knew that he wasn’t going – his professionalism has been absolutely outstanding.

“In terms of everything, his attitude, the way he’s trained, the way he leads, how he has bought into everything. I have really enjoyed working with him and I hope he can say the same.”

Having represented England throughout the age-group levels, Ward-Prowse has accumulated 11 senior caps and two goals.

Jones added: “What a great professional. We are really proud of him here at Southampton; one, because he’s Southampton through and through; two, the quality he produces season after season and he is a seasoned England international.

“Yes, he hasn’t gone to this tournament but that’s the motivation now – to get back in that squad.”

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