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Saints stalwart Ward-Prowse gets first senior England call-up thanks to Puel

James Ward-Prowse owes a debt of gratitude to Southampton manager Claude Puel after being named in the England senior squad for the first time on Thursday.

As the club's longest-serving player, Ward-Prowse has seen more than his fair share of chopping and changing in the dugout at the St Mary's Stadium. From Nigel Adkins, who handed him his debut as a 16-year-old, to Mauricio Pochettino, whom he credits as having the biggest influence on his career, and from Ronald Koeman to Puel, the midfielder has also played under a variety of contrasting characters.

But thanks to Puel's expert tutelage Ward-Prowse, now 22, has finally been able to hold down a regular spot in Southampton's starting lineup.