Martin hopeful of Downes return
Southampton manager Russell Martin has said midfielder Flynn Downes "trained today and felt good" ahead of a return to action for the trip to Coventry City.
The 24-year-old missed the draw at Watford on Saturday through illness, but has since been back amongst the group at Staplewood Campus.
It was just the second game Downes missed since signing for the club on loan from West Ham in August.
"We’re the squad plus Flynn," confirmed the manager. "He trained today, felt good, felt relaxed, fingers crossed that’s the case for tomorrow.
"The team [on Saturday] was very similar to the one I had in my mind, maybe one or two changes. Joe [Aribo] came in and did brilliantly, he was ready for it. When you have an opportunity you have to be ready for it, and Joe was. We’re in a really positive place, we can only focus on ourselves.
"Flynn is a leader, [him missing is] going to impact the team somehow but I thought Shea [Charles] was brilliant. He’s an outstanding young talent. I think he’s getting better and better, but of course we’ll miss someone like Flynn.
"He’s been so influential and important, the team has been so settled. Gavin, the two centre backs and Flynn, is so important. We've learnt as much as we can from Saturday. It’s a big week."
