James Ward-Prowse suspension offers him rare rest & recovery

The Saints skipper saw a straight red after a VAR intervention following his sliding challenge on substitute Jorginho at Chelsea on Saturday, and will now face a three-match ban.

That means he will miss the visits of Leeds United and Burnley to St Mary’s, before the EFL Cup round of 16 trip to the Blues’ Stamford Bridge again rounds out the suspension.

It could be a well-needed rest for the midfielder who had played 102 consecutive Premier League matches and hadn’t missed a minute of action for over two seasons – although he’d never admit it.

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The 26-year-old was playing through the start of the season with stomach issues, as well as looking to bounce back from a knee injury that disrupted his pre-season schedule hugely, issues that might have even caused a decline in his performances.

James Ward-Prowse netted the equaliser from the spot on the hour-mark at Chelsea before his sending off (Pic: PA)

Speaking before the visit to Chelsea and the subsequent red card, Ward-Prowse admitted: “It's been a bit of a struggle.

“I've had issues there. I am finding my way through it now and it's been a difficult three weeks really, trying to find any consistency. I am hoping now that I am through it and that I can get back to that level that I am used to.”

Asked if he would welcome a rest, he continued: “No that's not in my mind. The thought of that conversation, that's not something that I want to have.

“The manager knows all about my physical capabilities and, admittedly, it's been very stop-start for me since pre-season with a knee injury and stomach problems - which are still ongoing.

A knee injury could have kept James Ward-Prowse out of the opener at Everton but he returned (Pic: PA)

“It's important that I find that level again and it will come with time.”

Ward-Prowse was handed a rest during the Carabao Cup tie at Sheffield United, where Ibrahima Diallo – his replacement for the upcoming three games too, now – took his place in the starting XI.

But the captain was then introduced from the bench at half-time anyway, replacing Nathan Redmond as Ralph Hasenhuttl needed to push the Championship outfit for a win.

Asked about that decision, he added: “I am human. I can't play every single minute of every game, even though the boyhood football fan inside me is yelling: 'Play every minute, play every minute.'

Saints needed a penalty shootout to defeat Sheffield United in the EFL Cup (Pic: PA)

“You are going to have hurdles along the way. The manager told me that he saw it as an opportunity to give me a rest and with the stomach problems recently it would give me a game to get over that.

“I ended up still playing, a lot more than I thought I was going to play. I was buzzing at the end of it.”