James Ward-Prowse has voiced his backing for teammate Danny Ings to be called up to the England national squad after a blistering run of form from the Southampton star.
Speaking to The Southern Daily Echo, the Saints academy graduate admitted that the 27-year-old attacker deserves to be included in the Three Lions squad in March for the pre-EURO 2020 friendlies against Italy and Denmark, with Ward-Prowse also stating that Ings is currently the best striker in England.
The former Liverpool attacker has been Southampton’s most important player this season, with the striker winning Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side vital points that have seen the south coast side rise from the relegation zone to within four points off a Europa League spot in the Premier League table.
Has Ings been Southampton's best player this season?Yes, no question about itNo, others have been more important |
Ings form has been nothing short of spectacular, and his goal-scoring exploits have seen a range of figures within the game such as Brendan Rodgers via Sky Sports News and Ian Wright via BBC Sport singing from the same hymn sheet as Ward-Prowse that the attacker should be called up by Gareth Southgate,
The Saints midfielder said when asked if Ings is currently the best striker in England: “Probably not, no. It’s nice to see him doing well because he deserves it. Everyone sees the goals but if you watch us press as a team, he sets it off with Longy (Shane Long) and he’s getting his rewards. He has done more than enough already (for an England call-up), not just from his goals but also from the way he is working without the ball.”
With four of the top five Premier League goalscorers this season being English as stats from BBC Sport shows, Ings faces some big competition to win Southgate’s favours as England’s starting striker for March, but with the Saints attacker’s form not slowing down for just one second, the former Burnley forward could be in with a chance to lead to the line for the Three Lions in two months.
