Despite fighting the Clarets in the relegation battle, West Ham United will be hoping that James Ward-Prowse impresses at Burnley.
Indeed, the fact is that Ward-Prowse will still have a year to run on his West Ham United contract when he returns from a loan stint at Turf Moor at the end of the season.
At some point, the Hammers will want to sell the midfielder, a task made significantly easier if he puts himself in the shop window under Scott Parker.
Why do YOU think it didn’t work out for James Ward-Prowse at West Ham?
West Ham United's James Ward-Prowse during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Crystal Palace at London Stadium on September 20, 2025 in London, England.
Still, Ward-Prowse cannot play for Burnley against West Ham due to the terms of his loan move and he was not handed his debut against Sunderland earlier this week. That leaves him with only 13 games to make any kind of impact.
However, it seems the 31-year-old is already back to his old tricks.
James Ward-Prowse scores stunning free-kick for Burnley U21s
The former Southampton star hasn’t played at senior level since September 2025, so will surely need to work on his match fitness before he can start making an impact for Burnley.
However, Ward-Prowse was included in the Burnley U21 team who played against Wigan in the Lancashire FA Senior Cup semi-final on Friday.
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Of course this is when he scores another free-kick again 😂
If we go down – would you want JWP in the Championship?!
The West Ham loanee lasted 55 minutes in what was a 3-1 win for Burnley.
After the Clarets fell behind, Ward-Prowse netted a trademark and brilliant free-kick to draw his side level before they went on to book their place in the final of the youth competition.
Ward-Prowse was noted as a free-kick expert but never actually scored one for West Ham. As such, it will have been of little surprise to Hammers fans that he scored one straight after leaving, perhaps summing up his time at the club in one ironic swoop.
James Ward-Prowse hailed by Burnley coach after free-kick
Obviously, Burnley haven’t brought Ward-Prowse in so that he can play for their U21 side.
However, it is at least a positive step in his career as he looks to rebuild following a miserable time of things in east London.
If he does, perhaps West Ham can stand to recoup at least some of the money they paid for him almost three years ago now.
James Ward-Prowse before Sunderland v Burnley - Premier League
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Ward-Prowse cost West Ham around £30million in 2023 and while getting anything close to that seems impossible right now, the player raising his value can only be a good thing for the club.
Speaking after the U21s game, Clarets coach Andy Farrell said: “James Ward-Prowse obviously in the middle of the park, I can’t remember him giving the ball away.
“Nothing complicated, lovely and simple, he kept the ball ticking over.”
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