SAINTS legend Terry Paine believes James Ward-Prowse is thriving because he has been given a clear identity in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team.

Ward-Prowse was rewarded for his outstanding Saints form with a second England cap last night, his first since making his debut two years ago.

Paine, who celebrated his 80th birthday on Saturday, has been delighted to see the midfielder rewarded for his outstanding recent club form.

He said: “Having been in and out of the [Saints] side under so many different managers my biggest concern with James was that there was no identity for him.

“Apart from at dead-ball situations I couldn’t make up my mind what he was and I don’t think the boy knew either.

“But since he’s come back into that forward role I can see that’s his strength, that’s where he needs to play.

“He’ll always be a threat from free kicks in and around the box but now you can see he has more of a role within the team. And that‘s what’s shone through.

“He’s always had that talent from dead ball situations and now he’s so consistent, which is rare. To score two on the trot was exceptional.

“It doesn’t matter who the goalkeeper is. If you get it right, with the way the ball moves these days, it’s going in.

“James executes them brilliantly but you can’t rely on that to get you through 90 minutes and he’s beginning to show that.

“Although he’s not exceptionally quick he’s always been an excellent passer and with the experience he’s got now he’s become quite cute in those more forward positions.

“But he needs targets to hit. It’s no good being a good passer of a ball if you don’t have those targets.

“It was the same for me. I needed Ron Davies to direct my crosses to. Give James targets and he’ll create chances.”

Ward-Prowse watched England’s 5-0 win against the Czech Republic from the bench but was given a brief run-out in the 5-1 win away to Montenegro last night as a 82nd-minute substitute for Ross Barkley.

Paine, who won 19 England caps, said: “He’s a fringe player at the moment but it didn’t surprise me he got a call-up and it’s nice to know you’re in the reckoning and that they’re watching.

“The younger element of the squad has been encouraged and given their head and getting him in and part of the set-up is really, really good for him.”

Paine is also optimistic that Saints will still be a Premier League club when he flies over from South Africa in May to present the President’s Player of the Year award.

“I sincerely hope so,” he said. “It’s never easy coming in halfway through a season but he seems to have injected a lot of enthusiasm and looks a very positive man.

“I get regular updates from the chairman (Ralph Krueger) and it helped to go into the break on the back of a win.

“Hopefully we’ll come back from that full of vim and vigour. It won’t be easy at Brighton on Saturday but if we can pick up a few points on the road and put a couple of wins together at home I think we’ll be clear.

“I always think the goals-against column is key and ours is slightly better than some down there.

“I thought this season would be a struggle and we’ve had some disappointing performances. But although it’s a tight one to call, it’s all down to us.”

“We can’t rely on anybody else to help us.”