Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse is full of pride captaining England U19.

The Saints midfielder was handed the armband for the Young Lions' friendly against Turkey in Telford after regular skipper John Lundstram pulled out through injury.

"It was an experience I've always wanted," Ward-Prowse exclusively told Saints Player today after returning to Southampton in the early hours of this morning.

"It's always an honour to play for your country at any level, and to get the captain's armband and do it in my own country was a really good experience.

"The normal captain of the group went home injured, so I had an inkling that I potentially could be captain.

"The manager said that there were three-or-four candidates, but he pulled me to a side on the morning of the game to tell me it'd be me.

"It was a really good moment to be told that I was going to be able to lead my country out."