Southampton will be hoping they can get quickly back to form on Friday night when they go to The Hawthorns to face West Brom.
The Saints saw a 25-game unbeaten run come to an end on Tuesday night, when they were beaten 3-1 by Bristol City at Ashton Gate.
They will now be looking to recover from that when they take on the Baggies.
But with their hosts on Friday also competing for a play-off spot, and on a high after the news of their impending takeover, they will be a tough task for Russell Martin’s side.
One player those of a Southampton persuasion will be desperate to see back in the starting XI against West Brom, is Flynn Downes.
Flynn Downes could return from injury
Back in the summer transfer window, Downes joined Southampton on a season-long loan from West Ham.
That reunited him with Martin, who he had also previously played under at Swansea City. Since that move, the midfielder has made 24 appearances in all competitions for the Saints, scoring once and providing two assists in that time.
His performances have also won praise from Martin, who previously described the 25-year-old as a ‘leader’.
However, Downes was absent for Southampton on Tuesday in that defeat at Ashton Gate, after picking up a knock in last weekend’s 5-3 win over Huddersfield Town.
Providing an update on the midfielder’s fitness ahead of the West Brom game, Martin revealed that he is hopeful Downes will be fit to feature at The Hawthorns.
If that is indeed the case, Southampton will surely have to bring him back into the starting XI if he is available.
Russell Martin may need to rotate Southampton midfield
Downes’ injury cotributed to Martin shuffling his options in the centre of the park for that clash with Bristol City.
Shea Charles and Joe Rothwell came into the starting XI alongside Will Smallbone. Stuart Armstrong meanwhile, also dropped to the bench.
However, Charles was substituted at half time to be replaced by Armstrong, after seemingly struggling to get into the game.
After the match, Martin also admitted that Southampton had missed Downes ‘athletically’ during that loss to Bristol City.
Bringing the on loan West Ham man back into the side is surely therefore a must for the Saints if they are able to do so.
That will add what it seems Martin believes will be a more significant presence in the centre of the park, and could exploit a West Brom midfield that is itself lacking options in depth.
Southampton have to bounce back quickly from the defeat to Ashton Gate, so must pick their strongest available side here. Including Downes in the starting XI if possible, would surely go some way to doing that.