There could be some familiar faces at the London Stadium on Saturday
Former midfielder James Ward-Prowse is expected to return to the London Stadium for the first time since August when West Ham United face Southampton this weekend. However, another former Hammer faces a race against time to participate.
Flynn Downes left West Ham on loan for Southampton in 2023, making the move permanent 12 months later. He has been a fixture in Tonda Eckert’s side, but injury has sidelined him of late.
Eckert suggested the 27-year-old was forced to play a role in East London on Saturday. However, the Daily Echo reports that Downes’ absence from training photos could be a hint that the game has come too soon for him.
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“[Flynn is] “We’re going to evaluate today, and he’s going to do everything he can to participate tomorrow,” Eckert said in Friday morning’s pregame press conference.
Downs, who was sent off in the first half against Norwich on October 14, did not play. Saints goalscorer Cyle Larin is also a doubt for the game after colliding with Bolton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu last time out.
“Cyle’s injury was part of the hamstring towards the tendon, but it’s the same for him, he’s trying to do everything to get it done tomorrow,” Eckert said. “It’s a different kind of injury [to his recent one]his back is fine, it’s just a result of a collision with Gavin Bazunu.”
One of England’s under-20 players, Downes grew up supporting West Ham and moved to his dream club in 2022. He made 35 appearances under David Moyes and came off the bench in the semi-final against AZ as an unused substitute in the Conference League final victory.
Unfortunately, Ward-Prowse’s arrival at the London Stadium may have hastened his exit. The England international and Mexican star Edson Alvarez both joined West Ham in August 2023, while Downes joined on loan later that month.
Even if he doesn’t recover in time to feature on Saturday, the midfielder has already played once against his old employers this season. He came on for the last 30 minutes in the second round of the Carabao Cup but was unable to prevent Southampton from losing 4-1 at home to the Hammers.
Saints go into Saturday’s game in eighth place, five points adrift of second-placed West Ham, although that gap is partly due to them receiving a four-point deduction due to the Spygate controversy. Eckert’s side are unbeaten at home in the league but have just five points from five away games, with their only league win coming at Norwich.