JAMES Ward-Prowse missed out on being England’s 26th man for Euro 2020 after defender Ben White was added to the squad. The Saints skipper impressed during the Three Lions’ 1-0 friendly win over Romania on Sunday before being replaced in the 65th-minute. Many thought Ward-Prowse would be the man to occupy the spot left void by Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was forced to withdraw through injury last week. White grew up in the south, attending Queen Elizabeth’s School in Wimborne, while also playing football for county side Poole and East Dorset. Asked who was in Saints’ academy at the same time as him,
Ben White said: “I think (Alex Oxlade) Chamberlain, Prowsey (James Ward-Prowse), (Jack) Stephens, who are all playing in the Premier League now. They’re not really my age, they were three years older than me, but they were the ones that I was watching. After training they would be playing on the Saturday and I’d watch all their games.”
Discussing his release from Saints,
Ben White said: “It was hard. I didn’t get anything at 16. You’re just booted out and that’s it really. You’re done and you’ve got to find your own way back. Luckily I managed to do that and get my trial at Brighton.”
White’s inclusion was announced by the Football Association on Monday morning as the team continue preparations for their European Championship opener against Croatia.
