Former Seagull Adam Lallana looks likely to have to sit out Brighton and Hove Albion’s visit to Southampton on Saturday (22 February).
The 36-year-old midfielder has had a hamstring problem but observers say that, even so, he has been something of a boon to new boss Ivan Juric who replaced Brighton-born Russell Martin just before Christmas.
Saints midfielder Flynn Downes could return though after he and the Croatian coach appeared to have cleared the air and healed their rift.
Downes scored the second-half equaliser at the Amex in November when the Saints held Brighton to a 1-1 draw to pick up what was then only their fifth point of the season.
He has been left out of the squad for the past three matches, with Juric admitting to a fall-out over the 26-year-old’s attitude.
Downes has been struggling to recapture his best form since Juric replaced Martin in December.
But when Ipswich Town made an approach for the player last month, they were reported to have been put off by a £20 million price tag.
Juric said: “Flynn is with us. I think like in every family there is a moment, bad moment or bad decision or something. We had a really good chat.
“I think he understands the mistakes and everything … He’s a very good player and he’s a good guy who made a mistake but he’s ok. He is fit and is training very well.”
The Saints paid £18 million to turn Downes’s loan move from West Ham United into a permanent deal in the summer after he played a key role in Southampton’s promotion.
But the south coast club have struggled to adapt to life in the top flight, with just nine points from 25 matches.
They have won only two and drawn three and languish 10 points adrift of safety at the foot of the table.
Juric, who has lost all bar one of his eight league games in charge – the Saints won 2-1 at fellow strugglers Ipswich earlier this month – said that he was grateful for the fans’ support during a difficult season.
For Brighton’s visit, defender Jack Stephens is back in contention after a setback following a calf injury. But centre-back Taylor Harwood-Bellis, like Lallana, is expected to remain on the sidelines.
