Southampton forward Nathan Redmond has revealed that manager Claude Puel informed himself and teammate James Ward-Prowse about their first senior England call-up by way of a prank.

According to an interview on the south coast outfit’s official website, the 23-year-old said that the Frenchman had called the pair into his office in order to give them a telling off, but instead he told them that they would be going away with the Three Lions following Sunday’s clash against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.

Redmond told southamptonfc.com: "I found out about it when the manager pulled me and Prowsey in and told us he's not happy with us.

“But then told us we were in the seniors! It was a funny way to find out. He was delighted for us, as well as the rest of the first-team coaches.”

Redmond, who has scored five Premier League goals for the Saints this season – including two in his last appearance away at Watford – moved to St Mary’s from Norwich City last summer.

The winger has gone from strength to strength under the leadership of Puel – who experimented with playing the 23-year-old as a striker earlier this season – and has quickly become a key player, which has obviously caught the attention of England manager Gareth Southgate.

Redmond added: "It hasn't quite sunk in at the moment. But I'm sure when I pick up my phone and read the messages from friends and family I'll start to appreciate the moment a little bit more.”