West Ham United injury news: Flynn Downes picks up another knock at Southampton
West Ham United loanee Flynn Downes has suffered a fresh injury blow, but Russell Martin is hopeful the midfielder will be fit for Southampton’s next game, as shared by the Daily Echo.
The 25-year-old started in the Saints’ 3-0 win over Preston on 16 April but was replaced during the break after picking up a new injury problem.
Downes was withdrawn for Shea Charles at the break, only weeks after returning from a longer-term injury blow at St Mary’s.
In his post-match comments to the Daily Echo, Martin said: “There’s just no point in risking anything with (Downes) right now. He’s been such an important player.”
“Flynn, hopefully, will be fit for Saturday. I’m sure he will – but if not, we have a really brilliant player (Charles) to step in.”
West Ham United injury curse continues with new update
West Ham are approaching a crucial week in their season, with the second leg of their Europa League quarter-final against Bayer Leverkusen followed by a London derby with Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Downes’ latest knock while on loan at Southampton, where, he has been playing despite not being 100 per cent, adds to a plethora of injuries for West Ham midfielders across the board.
Jarrod Bowen was sorely missed against Leverkusen in the first leg, and he remains a doubt to play any part in the second with the Hammers 2-0 down on aggregate.
Kalvin Phillips has missed the last three games in all competitions since being injured in West Ham’s 4-3 loss at Newcastle, while youngster George Earthy will also be absent after picking up a heavy concussion against Fulham on 14 April.
Edson Alvarez will return from suspension to bolster the Irons’ midfield, but a yellow card in the first leg means Lucas Paqueta must sit this game out with a suspension of his own.
Downes may not be part of the West Ham squad this season, but he’s certainly not been left out of the injury curse that has hit his parent club.
Can he find his way back to fitness in the final four games of the Championship campaign to help Southampton make an immediate Premier League return?
In other West Ham news, an update has been shared on midfielder Earthy after he was stretchered off against Fulham.
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