Southampton share injury update on influential player amid Leeds United promotion battle

Flynn Downes picked up an injury for promotion hopefuls Southampton on Saturday afternoon as Championship rivals Leeds United watch on

Southampton manager Russell Martin admits there is mixed news for his promotion-chasing team when it comes to injuries as they bid for an immediate return to the top-flight. Similarly to Leeds United – among their main rivals at the top – Southampton were relegated from the Premier League last season.

Both sides picked up three points on Saturday afternoon. Leeds were comfortable 3-0 winners against Rotherham United at Elland Road, while Southampton beat Huddersfield in an eight-goal thriller.

Games continue to come thick and fast as third-placed Leeds and Southampton – who currently sit second – look forward to away matches on Tuesday night. However, as the Saints aim to maintain their one-point cushion in the automatic places, they might have a selection conundrum.

Speaking after the Huddersfield win, Southampton manager Martin chatted about an injury blow to Flynn Downes and Che Adams’ fitness as he continues to nurse a knock. Bristol City are next up for the Saints.

Martin said: “We’ll have to assess Flynn and see. We have got a relentless schedule right now. Che didn’t go off injured. He could have carried on, but he has got a knock. I wasn’t aware of an injury, I just felt we needed a winger on that side of the pitch against the back-five.

“We were finding it hard to break down. So it was Che or Adam [Armstrong] [to be replaced] and it was so difficult because they are both top players.

“We felt Arma suited the game more than Che at that point. But he’ll be fine and he’ll be a big player for us. But, yeah, he had a knock as well. I didn’t know until after, but they’re confident he’ll be fine for Tuesday night.”