Teenage Saints midfielder James Ward-Prowse has hailed the club’s commitment to youth.

The 18-year-old is one of a number of talented academy graduates to have recently pledged their long-term future to the club.

Ward-Prowse signed a five-year contract last November, and was followed in doing so by Luke Shaw last month.

Just this week, the impressive and versatile Calum Chambers, 18, put pen to paper on a four-year deal.

Fellow youngsters Lloyd Isgrove, Jack Stephens and Jordan Turnbull have also been given new contracts during the past 12 months.

Ward-Prowse, who made 15 Premier League appearances last season, says that the willingness of the club to give young players a chance at the highest level means they are far more likely to stay at St Mary’s.

“We see the pathway that the chairman (Nicola Cortese) has put in place for us,” said Ward-Prowse.

“We know there is a chance for us to play in the first team – it is up to us to go and grab the opportunity.

“We are being provided that opportunity here so there is no reason why not to go and grab it.

“Obviously, it showed with me and Luke last year that there is that pathway there, and obviously there was Alex (Oxlade-Chamberlain) previously.

“This club is renowned for producing young players and the chairman wants to keep that core of young players to hopefully take this football club to where it belongs.”

Ward-Prowse has also added his name to the growing list of people among the Saints camp who believe that achieving a place in Europe next season is achievable.

“I don’t think it is beyond the realms of possibility to go into Europe,” he said.

“I think we are capable of doing that. We showed towards the end of last season that we have got the quality and desire to be there.

“We’ve come up the leagues quite quickly. It is not outside the realm of possibility.

“It is definitely a challenge but one we are going to relish and hopefully reach.”