SAINTS boss Russell Martin claimed there is a "big chance" Flynn Downes will be available for the trip to West Brom on Friday.

Martin's side were beaten 3-1 by Bristol City to end their 25-match unbeaten run - which allowed Leeds United to jump above them into second.

Saints were missing injured pair Downes and Che Adams from their squad and the 38 year old hopes they will be back amongst it for the trip to the Hawthorns.

When asked if Downes and Adams will be available, he told the Daily Echo: "I hope so. There’s a big chance so we’ll have to wait and see.

"In a game where a team is so good in transition like this, Flynn is a massive loss. When you take him out, our team looks a little bit different athletically.

"I thought Will (Smallbone) did a great job today as the six. I think we will learn a lot from tonight and I’m excited about the challenge ahead."

The Saints boss feels his team were missing the "final bit" in certain positions but he is confident that will be sorted soon.

He continued: "Nothing is going to change how I feel about the players and how I feel about what they are doing.

"Some of the football tonight was outstanding. It was just the last bit of zip, energy, and conviction that we really missed. I think that’s easily sorted."

With a tough trip to West Brom to come later in the week, Martin knows how important it is to put things right on Friday.

He insisted: "It's a brilliant opportunity, a brilliant challenge for us to show people.

"I’m pretty sure everyone was waiting to see when this run would end and now they’re waiting to see what we’re made of now it has come to an end.

"There will be people hoping that this is the start of a little bit of a tough run which every team has in a season, we need to make sure we put that to bed straight away."