'To be home is special' - Ward-Prowse on return

Former Southampton captain James Ward-Prowse says that it feels like "the right time" to be back at the club.

The 31-year-old re-signed at St Mary's for his second spell on Friday after three years away with West Ham, including two loan spells with Nottingham Forest and Burnley.

The midfielder joined Saints for just under £1m and agreed terms on a two-year contract.

"I feel excited and that it's the right time," he told BBC Radio Solent.

"It's been a really turbulent couple of years with a lot of time to think to myself about what I want my career to look like.

"The opportunity came up and it was something that I was keen to do, to be back home is really special."

Southampton are back in Championship action on Saturday when they play Millwall at St Mary's who have got off to a perfect start in the league so far this season.

Despite struggling for consistent minutes on the pitch in the past couple of years, Ward-Prowse is determined to hit the ground running on his return to his old club.

"I'll be ready for when the whistle blows (for the Millwall game)," he added.

Although I've not been on the pitch as much as I'd like to, I've been in the gym and doing the extra bits to make sure that I'm ready for whatever comes about.

"I set very high standards for myself so I don't need anyone to tell me when I've played well or not, I know that within myself now.

"I'm a lot older now than when I first started out so I understand the game a lot more and I know my body really well."