Gareth Southgate has added his former Under-21 captain to his group for the two Euro 2020 qualifiers over the next week

James Ward-Prowse has been drafted into the England squad for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Montenegro.

The 24-year-old Southampton midfielder will link up with the Three Lions at their St. George’s Park base today (Monday).

2 James Ward-Prowse has hit six goals in his last nine league games

Ward-Prowse has been in impressive form for the Saints and has scored in his last three games.

The free-kick specialist was a regular for England at youth level and was captain for the Under-21s under current senior boss Gareth Southgate.

He has one cap for the senior side, as a substitute in a friendly against Germany in March 2017.

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After naming his initial 25-man squad last week, Southgate spoke of his admiration for Ward-Prowse and admitted it had been tough to leave him out.

He said: “We know there are some players just on the fringes that we wouldn’t hesitate to call in both in terms of their ability, but also in the case of a player like James Ward-Prowse and his character. He’s absolutely the sort of character you want around the squad.

“We love Prowsey – I’ve been accused of being father of Prowsey over the years!

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“This most recent spell is his best spell since we capped him before and he is, I would say, a world-class deliverer of set plays. But he’s only recently got back into the team at Southampton.

“I think we’ve got some good midfield players and it isn’t a straightforward selection.”

Ward-Prowse will join up with the England squad at St George’s Park today to begin training ahead of Friday’s clash against the Czech Republic at Wembley.

The Three Lions will then travel to Montenegro for a second qualifier three days later.

Ward-Prowse will be hoping to impress Southgate ahead of the UEFA Nations League finals in June.

2 Ward-Prowse will hope to add to the single cap he won two years ago

Three players have withdrawn from Southgate’s initial 25-man squad, meaning 23 players will report for duty this afternoon.

Manchester City pair John Stones and Fabian Delph have pulled out through injury, as has Ruben Loftus-Cheek, the Chelsea midfielder.

West Ham’s Declan Rice will also be part of the squad for the first time, having switched his international allegiance.

London-born Rice, 20, previously played for the Republic of Ireland, but remained eligible for England as each of his three caps were won in friendlies.