James Ward-Prowse has insisted that he would not be happy with another season on the sidelines at Southampton.

The 18-year-old started the club's first match of the season against Manchester City, but made just a further three starts for the newly-promoted outfit.

"I am only 18 but I'm not content sitting on the bench. I don't think I've proved myself. I only would have proved myself when I'm playing week in, week out," he told BBC Sport.

"Sitting on the bench is not what I'm about. I think I've got so much more to offer the team and the club and it's a horrible feeling having to sit on the bench and watch the likes of Luke [Shaw] doing well because you want to be out there contributing as well.

"The pressure is even greater this year. I'm 18 now, I'm no longer the young pup of the team when I was coming through. Now I'm almost established and I need to make that next step and challenge Jack [Cork] and Morgan [Schneiderlin] for a place in the team and hopefully establish myself in the side as I did at the start of last season."

Ward-Prowse is currently on international duty with England Under-20s.