Gary Lineker has jokingly asked Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer whether he has any 'inside information' over a move for James Ward-Prowse. The Southampton playmaker is enjoying another fine season, and featured in the BBC's latest Match of the Day: Top 10 podcast on set-piece takers.
Ward-Prowse was included in Gareth Southgate's preliminary England Euro 2020 squad, only to be cut weeks before the tournament got under way. The 27-year-old later admitted the rejection was 'difficult to take', but started the Three Lions' recent friendly victory over Ivory Coast and remains in contention for a spot in this year's World Cup squad.
Lineker and Shearer were joined by former Manchester City defender Micah Richards to discuss the Southampton captain. The legendary Newcastle number nine feels the midfielder has a 'brilliant chance' of going to Qatar if he maintains his form from now until October.
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Richards added: "And starting as well, I think he's got more than people give him credit for. [Kalvin] Phillips has been injured, [Jude] Bellingham, [Declan] Rice and Ward-Prowse are the ones.
"Ward-Prowse is so consistent and so underrated, you talk about his free-kicks but look at his all-round game. He's brilliant for Southampton, he's their best player every week."
Lineker then asked whether the pair were surprised Ward-Prowse was not the subject of transfer interest from one of the Premier League's 'big clubs'. Richards agreed, before Shearer added there 'might be bigger clubs for him in the summer'.
This response prompted Lineker to jokingly suggest Newcastle were set to make their move in the upcoming window. The Match of the Day host said: "Oh hello, got a bit of inside information?! I said big clubs, not wealthy ones! Just kidding. He is terrific."
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