Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse replaces Leeds’ Kalvin Phillips for England World Cup qualifiers

Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse has had a late call up to the England squad for this month’s World Cup qualifiers.

The midfielder replaces the injured Kalvin Phillips, who was forced to withdraw from the national team after picking up a calf problem against Watford last weekend.

It’s been a mixed few days for Ward-Prowse.

He netted Southampton’s equaliser against Chelsea on Saturday, before being harshly sent off with less than 15 minutes remaining in the game. Saints went on to lose that game 3-1.

But this is a welcome return to international football for Ward-Prowse, who was unlucky to have not been given a spot in the squad that featured in this summer’s EURO 2020 tournament.

The Three Lions are set to face Andorra away on 9 October, before taking on Hungary at Wembley Stadium on 12 October.

England are currently top of Group I heading into the penultimate international break of 2021, having earned 16 points from six games.

Let’s hope Ward-Prowse can add to his eight England caps in the coming days.