JAMES Ward-Prowse joked he gets a “bit dizzy” playing as high up the pitch as he has been under manager Nathan Jones.

The 28-year-old had been accustomed to playing alongside either Romeo Lavia or Ibrahima Diallo in a double-pivot in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s final months.

This continued into the Jones era until the last few weeks, where Saints have won three in three in all competitions with Ward-Prowse playing as a number 10.

The skipper has also scored or assisted every Premier League goal Saints have registered under Jones, who took over from Hasenhuttl in November.

And speaking after scoring twice in the 2-1 win at Goodison Park on Saturday, Ward-Prowse quipped: “I get a bit dizzy being that high up the pitch, it’s slightly different.

“But having spoken to the manager he sees me as one of those goalscoring midfielders. To have that license to ghost in the box and get those important goals is great.

“I think it’s a slightly different role and that opens up a different role for somebody else.”

Ward-Prowse added: “It’s great to have Romeo and Ibra behind me – they’re a great duo in there.

“If my role is slightly different then so be it, as long as it is helping the team to travel in the right direction.”

Ward-Prowse netted a personal best 10 goals in the Premier League last campaign on the way to all-but single-handedly saving the club from relegation to the Championship.

He now has five exactly halfway through the current season – more than any other Saints player – with four in the last four.

And as Ward-Prowse’s contributions turn the tide on what looked like troubled waters, the one-club man has drawn comparisons to the way club legend Matt Le Tissier would save them.

But asked if he feels he is playing that character, Ward-Prowse responded: “Potentially but I’m not focussed on that role.

“As captain, I try to lead the team in the best way that I can and I try and do that in different ways first, but if the goals and special moments come then great.”

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