James Ward-Prowse has expressed his delight in Graham Potter being in charge following his return to the club.

The former Southampton captain has returned to east London from his loan spell at Nottingham Forest last week, having been allowed to depart last summer on loan by Julen Lopetegui.

“It was a strange feeling and situation to leave the Club in the first place, but that’s football,” Ward-Prowse told the clubs Official Website.

“The last few months for me personally haven’t been the most productive as I would have liked on the pitch, I feel as though the whole experience off it and the sort of different tests that I’ve had to endure have sort of benefited me now. I just want to get back out on the pitch.”

Ward-Prowse also spoke of his excitement to work under Graham Potter, who he admitted has already had a very positive impact since arriving to take over just a few weeks ago.

“I’m the sort of character that wants to play every minute of every game,” added the midfielder.

“That’s what I’ve been used to over the years, so to have had that brief period in the first half of the season where I haven’t, it’s tested those parts of my character again from when I was younger and relit that fire inside of me to get out there and to get playing again and enter a new chapter under the new Head Coach with a little bit more optimism.

“When a new Head Coach comes in, everybody starts again on zero. There’s a clean slate. So especially for me coming back, it’s a fresh opportunity.

“You can see that there’s something building here. It’s been a good positive first few weeks [under Potter] and hopefully I can add to that.”