RUBEN Selles admitted anything he could say about James Ward-Prowse would not add any value to what he means to Saints.

The captain, who has been and will continue to be iconised across the board at St Mary’s, and his contributions are invaluable to the club.

Ward-Prowse, an academy graduate turned England international, has given Saints a fighting chance of staying in the Premier League again.

When all hope is lost, it is Ward-Prowse who can return it. He was the saviour last season and, if there is to be salvation again, it will likely be he who brings it.

“Any word that I will say about Prowsey will not add any value of what he means for this club and for this group of players and for this city,” Selles said of the skipper.

“I think it's an unbelievable character we have in the dressing room and an unbelievable leader for the rest of the team and for the club.”

Ward-Prowse scored his sixth Premier League goal of the season during a 1-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

It was his 17th direct free-kick in the division. Only David Beckham, his idol, has more (18). The record is very much in Ward-Prowse’s rather accurate sights.

Ward-Prowse has converted 15.2 per cent of his free-kicks taken – in that time, Lionel Messi has converted just 9.2 per cent. We are talking about something truly special.

Two more of Ward-Prowse’s goals came at Everton, and amounted to another three points earned in theory. He also netted versus Brighton and Fulham. Five of the six goals under former manager Nathan Jones were scored or assisted by Ward-Prowse.

Last season, the skipper hit a personal best of 10 notches across the campaign. Seven of those rescued points – not just consolation goals or adding to hefty wins.

“We know that he has those abilities so we need to use that weapon every time we can,” Selles said, speaking of his set-piece danger.”

Saints have a proud history of magicians for players and survival specialists. Matt Le Tissier had perhaps the most intense veneration. 

All generations of supporters will have their own players who come to mind and those who command respect across the spectrum. 

Ward-Prowse is almost universally respected within the Saints fanbase. But not completely universally – there are still some nicknames that stick.

 The skipper had signed new long-term contracts in two of the last three summers and Saints have turned down offers for the midfielder.

Ward-Prowse has missed out on two major tournaments with England and on at least the second occasion he could have felt aggrieved at what was happening around him.

He remains loyal to the club and continually improves to be the most important player in the team. Hope, there is, that he remains here beyond the summer.

It feels like Premier League survival is a must for that. Ward-Prowse is good, but he will not be able to guarantee that alone.

“Now the challenge is to support him,” Selles concluded.