'It takes its toll' - Downes opens up on illness

Southampton midfielder Flynn Downes has opened up for the first time about his ongoing illness struggles living with E. coli.

The 26-year-old experienced severe food poisoning during his early days at Saints and has missed games across his time at the club due to subsequent after-effects from that illness.

It was not until recently that Downes looked into the issues with his gut further, and in September received more information on his condition which affected him both on and off the field.

Escherichia coli (E. coli), external bacteria normally live in the intestines of healthy people but while most types of E. coli are harmless, a few strains can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhoea and vomiting. Sufferers are exposed to it from contaminated water or poorly prepared food.

"It does take its toll to be honest," Downes told BBC Radio Solent.

"When you're a player like I am like, I rely on my energy so when you haven't got that, I'm clutching at straws.

"It's hard because I'd go into games and be feeling flat, and it isn't to make excuses but when your game's getting close to people, putting tackles in and you you haven't got the energy to do it, I'm like I might as well not be out here.

"But I've done some more tests I finally found out there was nothing severely wrong it was just something I've got to manage, when I did find that out it was a weight off my shoulders."

Downes initially joined Southampton on loan from West Ham in 2023 before helping Saints to promotion and joining on a permanent transfer the following summer.

He has been at the club under six different managers - permanent and interim - across his two-and-a-half years at St Mary's, and said that his illness was something he had to make recent bosses aware of.

"It affects me pretty much every day to be fair," he added.

"The last couple of weeks I've been quite good but the weeks before that, I'd have more bad days than good days.

"When Will Still was here I explained that to him as well, I told him like at the minute, I feel worse and I do good but obviously I am trying to play.

"But my game is energy and when you're constantly on the toilet and feel literally you're going downhill constantly it is so hard."

This season, Downes has played just 11 games out of Southampton's 18 Championship matches following the introduction of some extra competition in midfield positions.

The arrivals of Caspar Jander and Leo Scienza, the emergence of Cameron Bragg and return of Oriol Romeu have added to an already competitive area in the line-up.

Shea Charles has missed games due to injury and Finn Azaz can also play more advanced in a central position.

Downes was a star performer in the Southampton side that won promotion two years ago, and is hoping that recent form and a strong squad can propel them to a similar finish this campaign.

"I think things are finally picking up," Downes said.

"We knew from the start of the season that we had a good squad here, we've got good players and lots that did it two years ago, so we know the league.

"We know we've got arguably the best players in the champ, so I think it's just about getting things right on the training pitch and going into games and I think that's starting to happen now."

Saints are back in action on Saturday when they host Birmingham City at St Mary's (15:00 GMT).