UPDATE: Southampton midfielder Flynn Downes might be available to face West Brom

Head coach Russell Martin says Southampton midfielder Flynn Downes has a “big chance” of playing in the team’s February 16 trip to West Bromwich Albion.

Although Downes was not present during the Saints’ 3-1 loss to Bristol City on February 13, he intends to play again before the week is over.

After Southampton was demoted to the Championship during the 2022–2023 season, Martin has been given the responsibility of assisting the south coast team in making an instant comeback to the Premier League at St. Mary’s. Although Southampton is still very much in the running for promotion, the loss at Ashton Gate earlier this week ended their club-record 25-game winning streak.

Due to an injury he received during Southampton’s 5-3 victory against Huddersfield Town on February 10, Downes will not be playing for the Saints on their trip to Bristol City. Martin had worried that the West Ham United loanee had suffered a serious injury during the victory, but his initial report suggested that the setback wasn’t as catastrophic as initially thought.

Downes was missed at Ashton Gate, though, as Southampton lost their first game since September 2023, ending their chances of earning automatic promotion. Martin said after the game that Downes might return for Friday’s away game against West Brom, who are in the running for the playoffs (via Alfie House). Regarding the midfielder’s availability at The Hawthorns, Martin responded as follows: