Tonda Eckert won't have his full Southampton camp to select from, as the Saints prepare to do battle with Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals.
Indeed, Ryan Manning will be absent, having picked up a reckless yellow card during the breathless 2-1 victory over Arsenal, in the last high-stakes round.
Alongside the blow of losing Manning, who is a guaranteed name on the German's teamsheet at this point, he will also lose the calmness of Flynn Downes from the middle of the park, after he unusually lost his cool against former side, Swansea City.
Downes' annoying suspension
Downes has been retrospectively been handed a three-game ban, after he was punished for violent conduction when lashing out versus his ex-employers.
Admitting the charge, he is now out of contention to start the nerve-racking FA Cup showdown with the visitors from Manchester, as well as being absent for Southampton's last two regular games of the Championship season.
The challenge in question, earning Flynn Downes his 3 match ban. 🤔#SaintsFC pic.twitter.com/eYYnoh5dYp
— Just Saints (@JustSaints_) April 23, 2026
This is an unwanted development for Eckert and Co. to stomach, considering the one-time West Ham United midfielder has played 41 times this campaign for the promotion hopefuls, scoring three times in the process.
Eckert has leapt to his midfield star's defence, stating that his reliable first-teamer had "no bad intention" when forcibly leaving a foot in, but regardless of whether his actions were intentional or not, he will be absent at Wembley on Saturday evening.
The German has a selection dilemma he must address, therefore, and he is likely to have this plan up his sleeve.
Eckert's Downes fix
The much-loved head coach has routinely had an expert plan in his back pocket, when chopping and changing his starting XI this season.
Kuryu Matsuki has managed to stand out this campaign, even as an impact substitute, with four goals coming his way in Championship action, from a minimal 11 starts.
He will hold zero nerves about throwing in reserve players to his lineup for the clash with City; therefore, with Caspar Jander perhaps excelling in Downes' place, when facing the might of their Premier League opponents.
The silky 23-year-old has only started two of his side's last five games in all competitions, but he has managed to leave a lasting impression on contests all the same, for his assured and stylish displays from the middle of the park.
In particular, he was very lively from only 20 minutes of action during the 2-2 draw with Bristol City, with two key passes staggeringly amassed, from such a lack of minutes.
Without knowing it explicitly, Jander was auditioning for a starting role in the FA Cup semi final, with all 100% of his tackles and duels won, too, against the Robins, showing off a well-rounded player who will not be scared about facing the Premier League leaders.
After all, he played the full 90 minutes against Arsenal in the last round, as Southampton pulled off that earth-shuddering upset, meaning Eckert won't bat an eyelid at starting him again, to make up for Downes being missing.
Southampton supporters flocking to Wembley on the weekend will be dreaming of another seismic giant killing, with Jander looking forward to the prospect of a start at the home of football.
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