Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse could be contemplating a move away from the club, according to journalist Dean Jones.

The Lowdown: England snub

During the summer of 2021, the now 27-year-old missed out on Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the European Championship. Looking to bounce back from that disappointment, the midfielder subsequently claimed: “I had to use that as motivation to raise my levels even more to make sure I don’t miss out on another one.”

However, after initially being included in England’s squad for their recent UEFA Nations League games, Ward-Prowse failed to play a single minute, having been left out of the matchday squad entirely for their game against Germany.

The Latest: Jones’ claim

With his omission from the England setup coming just two months before the World Cup is set to commence, Jones believes that Ward-Prowse will be seeking assurances over his career at Southampton.

Speaking with GiveMeSport, the journalist said of the Saints skipper: “At this stage of his career, he’ll want to have some assurances about where he’s going, and can he finally get a proper running the England squad?

“So, it’s a tough decision for him. I don’t think he’ll get aggressive about pushing for a move, but I’m sure it’s on his mind.”

The Verdict: He'd be a huge loss

Hailed by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola for his ‘exceptional’ abilities as a set-piece taker, Ward-Prowse’s overall game has also proven pivotal to Ralph Hasenhuttl during his time in charge of the Saints.

As per FBRef, compared with positional peers across Europe's top five leagues over the past year, the midfielder ranks in the 93rd percentile for shot-creating actions and expected goals assisted, and in the 92nd percentile for non-penalty goals.

This marks him out as a player who can make a telling impact in the final third, even from his customary midfield role.

Having finished last season as Southampton’s top scorer in the Premier League, fans will surely be desperate for the Saints to keep hold of their captain, who has proven instrumental in ensuring the club's top-flight survival in recent years.