FORMER Saints boss Graeme Souness has compared James Ward-Prowse to Liverpool’s James Milner.

Milner’s just secured his third Premier League title at Anfield, having won two at Manchester City.

And Souness, who now works as a pundit for Sky Sports, reckons Saints’ new skipper is just like Liverpool’s midfielder, only without the ‘dark arts’.

Daily Echo: Liverpool's James MilnerLiverpool's James Milner

Picking a player to watch from every top-flight team, the 67-year-old highlighted Ward-Prowse.

Writing in The Times, Souness said: “Great delivery and looks to be a really good type. Only a young man, but has been playing for years.

“He reminds me of James Milner, without the rascal in him that Milner’s developed.

“Milner never let me down at Newcastle, but has since become a master of the dark arts.”

After a frustrating start to life under Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl, Ward-Prowse has gone on to become one of the club’s most important players.

The Austrian turned to the 25-year-old to replace fellow midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg as captain.

Hasenhuttl has also picked Ward-Prowse for all 32 Premier League games this campaign, highlighting his importance to the side.

Saints' skipper scored his fifth goal of the season on Sunday away to Watford, beating shot-stopper Ben Foster with an unstoppable free-kick that curled into the top corner and ended the Hornets chances of a comeback.