Southampton face a big test this evening in their Europa League clash with Italian giants Inter Milan, and Saints midfielder James Ward-Prowse is relishing the occasion.

Claude Puel's side are currently level on points in the group with Inter Milan and are looking for a response following a narrow defeat in the reverse fixture at the San Siro two weeks ago.

22-year-old Ward-Prowse, who has risen through the academy on the South Coast, believes his club have earned the right to compete with the likes of Inter due to their meteoric rise in recent years.

“It is going to be a great occasion." he said. The club has worked incredibly hard for nights like this and we as players, the manager and staff want to be involved in games like this. A lot rests on the game, so bring it on,”

“Having been at the club for a long time, obviously I have seen the growth of the club on and off the pitch. Being a player here, it is great to see the rise of the club and it was a great feeling at the San Siro. This is a great game against a European giant and we will be looking to make sure we come out on top."

Southampton, sat ninth in the Premier League, are currently on a poor run of form and have only won two of their last seven matches in all competitions, with the most recent defeat coming on Sunday in a 2-0 loss to Chelsea.

November is a crucial month for the Saints as they start to look to build some consistency, with tonight's clash followed by a trip to Hull this weekend before clashes with Liverpool, Sparta Prague, Everton and Arsenal after the international break.

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