Lambert, who successfully converted all 34 of his penalties for Southampton, was on the substitutes bench for West Bromwich Albion on Saturday as Ward-Prowse stepped up to take a spot-kick won by Matt Targett.

Ward-Prowse confidently converted from the spot to make it two successful penalties for the club as Saints went on to win 3-0 against the Baggies.

And with Lambert watching on, Ward-Prowse knew he couldn’t miss.

“Rickie had an unbelievable record for the club and now its two in two for me, but it would be nice to replicate his record,” said Ward-Prowse after the game against West Brom.

“Obviously 1-0 is a dangerous scoreline, but to go two goals up was great and then I think the third was the most important. I think that killed the game for them.”

Ward-Prowse also struck home a brilliant free-kick – something he spent plenty of time working on with Lambert during the striker’s time with the club.

“Rickie did a bit of training with me a few years back, so he must have been proud of that one as well,” the England Under-21 international added when speaking to youtube.com/southamptonfc.

“It’s something I’ve been working on, and it’s been unfortunate not to get a few more.

“I’ve been quite close, had a few for England, but it’s nice to put one away in front of the stadium and to see the fans erupt like that was great.”