Ainsley Maitland-Niles has hailed the leadership of Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse.

On-loan from Arsenal, Maitland-Niles has been impressed by the England midfielder.

He told The Sun: “The captain has showed what he's capable of multiple times this season. It was fantastic.

“He is absolutely amazing. He's a warrior, he's a soldier, he's Southampton through and through.

“He's what you would want from every player on the pitch.

“He gives 100 per cent, he works very hard in training, he's a stand-up guy. He's perfect."

Maitland-Niles added: “The experienced heads are now coming together with the youth and talent that we have — and I'm sure we will be all right in the end."