SAINTS boss Russell Martin hopes star man Flynn Downes' knee injury is not a "bad one" after he was forced to miss their 2-0 defeat to Wolves.
The 25 year old was replaced by Joe Aribo in the starting lineup at Molineux after withdrawing from the side during the warm-up.
Downes felt a problem with his knee in training on Friday, Martin has revealed, but tried to play on before deciding he was unfit to start.
Without Downes, Saints conceded inside the first two minutes when Pablo Sarabia took the ball around Aaron Ramsdale and fired into an empty net.
Matheus Cunha fired in from distance after both Mateus Fernandes and Cameron Archer went down under a challenge from home players.
Asked if Downes' initial inclusion in the squad suggests his injury is not serious, Martin told the Daily Echo: "It was a big loss for us.
"We lose so much physicality and running power. He's amazing in transition, which is Wolves' biggest strength.
"So it's a big loss for us before the game. He hit a shot yesterday and felt something in his knee. He wanted to give it a go, such as his character.
"He just didn't feel right in the warm-up. We'll scan that and hopefully, we'll have good news and it won't be too long.
"He said to us he felt a bit 50-50 yesterday, he felt a bit better today, but he just felt he couldn't do what he wanted to do.
"You could see him in the warm-up, grimacing a little bit. He tried, such is his character, and I know that if he could he would have. Hopefully, it's not a bad one."
Saints are back in action after the international break, when they host title-challengers Liverpool at St Mary's on Sunday, November 24 (2pm).
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel