Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse admits he's a big student of the game.

Ward-Prowse is delighted playing for Saints boss Ron Koeman.

"As soon as he was appointed I looked for his goals on YouTube," Ward-Prowse told the Daily Mail. "He could strike a free-kick, couldn't he? He gives advice on where to put the ball and the mind games you can play with the keeper.

"I take a bag of balls out on my own. I won't hit too many as I don't want muscle fatigue but I read about Steven Gerrard and David Beckham hitting free-kicks after training and that is what I do. They were my childhood heroes.

"I have tried to follow in their footsteps because that is the level that I want to reach. I put a bib in the corner of the net and try to hit it. My accuracy isn't too bad. If you are taking 10, you want to be hitting the bib six or seven times.

"I used to watch all Beckham's goals on YouTube. There are bits of his technique which I have tried to implement. I also think he is a top role model. I haven't met him but I'd love to get some advice from him. He is a fantastic guy.

"I got Gerrard's shirt. I've met him but never had a proper chat. Being up against him on the opening day, I was thinking, "Wow - it's Steven Gerrard, my boyhood idol". Those two are tremendous characters, men I will always admire."