SAINTS manager Nathan Jones is sure it would take someone “cutting his right leg off” to stop James Ward-Prowse setting a Premier League record.

The Welshman spoke of his relationship with the skipper, which was seen during passionate celebrations between the pair at full-time of the 2-1 win over Everton.

Ward-Prowse, 28, scored two excellent goals to see Saints come from behind and win at Goodison Park for the first time since 1997.

The second was his 16th direct free-kick goal in the Premier League and draws him closer to David Beckham’s all-time record – standing at 18.

READ MORE: 'I'm open' - Jones reveals Saints players approached him over tactics in Man City win

Jones, speaking to the Daily Echo earlier in the week, had already praised Ward-Prowse’s mentality in his first months as boss – labelling him a Saints legend.

Daily Echo:

And speaking about the captain again after his brace, Jones said: “He’s been outstanding since I came in, his attitude.

“My first conversation with him was 10 minutes after he didn’t get picked for the England squad. Since that moment, he’s been absolutely world-class for me. The way he reacted and the performances you’re seeing now, it’s really motivated and driven.”

Jones added: “He’s vital, I like to get to know my captains and have a real relationship with them, a real personal relationship so they understand decisions we make.

“Sometimes we’ll make tough decisions, out there tactical decisions, but he is one that takes everything on board and understands. You see how the group is.

“I'm sure he's going to get that (Beckham’s record) because I think he's going to play in the Premier League for a few years yet and the quality isn't going to diminish. So unless someone comes in and cuts his right leg off, I think that record’s under threat.”

Ward-Prowse’s upturn in form has come following Jones’s arrival and a shift in positional focus, with two defensive midfielders now deployed behind him.

Ward-Prowse is, alongside the designated striker – Sekou Mara or Che Adams in the last two games – the furthest man forward, registering more shots than any other player at Goodison Park (5).

“He's one of the best technicians I've ever seen. The consistency he shows is world-class. I mean it's world-class,” Jones said.

“It genuinely is and in everything he does and his desire to play for Southampton, his humility in terms of everything - I can't speak of him highly enough. But it's not all about James Ward-Prowse.

“We had to give him a platform. We played him a little bit higher so he can be more aggressive as his distances are through the roof week-in, and week-out, so we know we can get a lot out of him. Everything he does is excellent.”

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