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<\/p>\nWhen James Ward-Prowse arrives at West Ham United\u2019s training hub in Rush Green, he does so knowing he will have no involvement in certain sessions.<\/p>\n
The 31-year-old midfielder, who joined for \u00a330million from Southampton in August 2023 and has made 409 appearances in the Premier League, has not featured in a West Ham matchday squad since Nuno Espirito Santo succeeded Graham Potter as head coach on September 27. And this exile extends to one drill on the training ground.<\/p>\n
The Athletic has spoken to sources with knowledge of West Ham\u2019s training, who, like all of those spoken to for this article, asked to be kept anonymous unless otherwise noted, to protect relationships. Nuno leads and oversees all sessions, with support from coaching staff Mark Robson, Steve Potts and Gerard Prenderville. Those spoken to said that training sessions are often split into two groups: the starting XI and the fringe players, the latter of which Ward-Prowse is part of. <\/p>\n
The two groups do not train together until there is an 11-v-11 session but, according to sources close to the dressing room, at this point, Ward-Prowse is not allowed to feature and has to train by himself.<\/p>\n
On the morning of Nuno\u2019s appointment, two days before the 1-1 draw against Everton, training was cancelled, given the sudden managerial change, and rescheduled for the afternoon. Ward-Prowse must have feared the worst, given an ill-fated loan spell at Nuno\u2019s Nottingham Forest last season. It was supposed to last the whole 2024-25 campaign but was cut short in January 2025. He had made 10 appearances but only five of those were starts.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sources with knowledge of the conversations say that before Nuno\u2019s first session at Rush Green, he greeted his players and then informed Ward-Prowse privately that he did not feature in his plans. Dressing-room sources add that in the past three and a half months, Ward-Prowse has not been banished to the under-21s or sulked around the training ground. He has remained professional, which Nuno has acknowledged publicly at a press conference in November.<\/p>\n
Ward-Prowse and Nuno\u2019s representatives were approached for comment by The Athletic.<\/p>\n
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\n Ward-Prowse has not featured under Nuno (Alex Pantling\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just decisions and I\u2019ve been honest with all the players,\u201d said Nuno before the 2-0 home defeat to Liverpool on November 30. \u201cAll the players are committed and working hard. It\u2019s not an easy situation, but believe me, making the squad and deciding is tough. But we decide for the best. He\u2019s (Ward-Prowse) been professional and very good (during this time).\u201d<\/p>\n
There is sympathy among the players, according to those close to them, for the former England international. Given their perilous league position, with the club seven points from safety, supporters have asked questions over his absence. In defeats to Brentford and Leeds United in October, Nuno fielded the unconvincing midfield pairing of Tomas Soucek and Andy Irving, while Guido Rodriguez, a player who has made just four league appearances this season, started the 1-1 away draw to Brighton & Hove Albion. <\/p>\n
Ward-Prowse\u2019s exclusion has also seen academy prospect and fellow midfielder Mohamadou Kante feature on the bench. The 19-year-old made his first-team debut in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United. Midfield trio Mateus Fernandes, the \u00a338m summer signing from Southampton, Freddie Potts and Soungoutou Magassa have formed a solid partnership but only have a combined total of two assists in 49 league appearances this season.<\/p>\n
In Ward-Prowse\u2019s debut season under ex-manager David Moyes, the midfielder registered seven goals and 11 assists across 51 appearances. He arrived in summer 2023, when West Ham needed midfielders. Declan Rice had just left for Arsenal for \u00a3105million. Edson Alvarez also joined from Ajax for \u00a335m. The Athletic reported in February last year that, when it came to Ward-Prowse, according to sources with knowledge of the deal, ex-technical director Tim Steidten and Moyes were initially divided<\/a>. Steidten preferred the Monaco midfielder Youssouf Fofana, but Moyes disagreed.<\/p>\n Moyes saw the benefit in Ward-Prowse immediately, and it is hard to look past his strong crossing ability. In his absence, the club have lacked attacking threat on set pieces, having only scored seven this season, the seventh-lowest total in the top flight. In 2023-24, West Ham scored 14 goals from set pieces, with Ward-Prowse assisting six via corners.<\/p>\n The midfielder memorably scored an \u2018olimpico\u2019<\/a> (direct goal from a corner) against Wolverhampton Wanderers in April 2024. Other highlights include his two assists on his debut against Chelsea in August 2023 and a goal against London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the 2-1 win in December 2023.<\/p>\n Ward-Prowse has converted 17 direct free kicks in the Premier League and is one away from equalling David Beckham\u2019s record of 18. His last came for Southampton in February 2023. Ward-Prowse has previously spoken about Beckham being a childhood hero<\/a>, and the appeal of surpassing his record could determine his next landing spot.<\/p>\n \u201cThe situation with James is clear from some time ago,\u201d said Nuno in his pre-match press conference before their extra-time FA Cup third-round win over Queens Park Rangers. \u201cI think he is not in the options, and it\u2019s for us to find the best solutions for his future.\u201d<\/p>\n Ward-Prowse has worked under four different managers in Moyes, Julen Lopetegui, Potter and Nuno. Potter enjoyed working with the midfielder and kept him in his starting XI, despite scrutiny from fans over Ward-Prowse\u2019s poor run of form. He started league games against Southampton, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace.<\/p>\n \n Ward-Prowse featured regularly under Graham Potter (Richard Pelham\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/GettyImages-2236443020-scaled.jpg\")
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