JAMES Ward-Prowse stayed on the bench as England Under-21s’ European Championship hopes received a timely shot in the arm from super sub Jesse Lingard.

Gareth Southgate’s side made hard work of their clash with Sweden after Ward-Prowse was replaced by Derby’s Will Hughes and left on the bench alongside Saints teammate Matt Targett.

But Lingard’s impressive, late strike gave England Under-21s a vital win. England struggled for fluency throughout a Group B tie which was heading for a draw until the Manchester United midfielder volleyed home from the edge of the box five minutes from time, securing the Young Lions a somewhat fortuitous 1-0 win.

It was the Under-21s’ first finals victory in six years and boosted their hopes of progressing to the semi-finals ahead of Wednesday’s encounter with Italy.

However, Southgate will be all too aware that more will be required against the Italians, with a decent performance tailing off dramatically after half-time.

Harry Kane and Hughes had the Young Lions’ best first-half chances, with Sweden threatening to grab a winner after Carl Jenkinson fired into the side-netting.

England were running out of ideas as they hunted for a winner, only for Lingard, on for the injured Alex Pritchard, to strike the decisive blow.

The first half, unlike England’s defeat to Portugal, was one of few chances. Gibson, Tom Carroll and Kane all had tame efforts before Danny Ings came on for Hughes at half time.

Another timely Helander block prevented the Liverpool new boy meeting a cross from Kane. Ings was furious to see penalty appeals rejected after contact with Joseph Baffo. When Redmond tried his luck from distance, forcing Carlgren to tip around the post, Garbutt sent in the decisive corner.

It was flapped at and fell for Lingard, who cushioned the ball with his chest before volleying home.

England: Rutland,Jenkinson, Moore, Gibson, Garbutt, Chalobah, Carroll (Loftus-Cheek 73), Redmond, Hughes (Ings 45), Pritchard (Lingard 55), Kane Subs unused: Forster-Caskey, Stones, Ward-Prowse, Bond, Bettinelli, Keane, Afobe, Chambers, Targett.