Key Southampton stars to miss FA Cup semi-final against Man City

Key Southampton stars to miss FA Cup semi-final against Man City

Southampton midfielder Flynn Downes will miss Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City after being charged with violent conduct.

Downes has been given a three-match ban for the incident which happened during Saturday’s 2-1 win over Swansea.

“The midfielder’s action around the 23rd minute wasn’t seen by the match officials, but was caught on video, and it was subsequently alleged that this constitutes violent conduct,” the Football Association said.

“Flynn Downes admitted the charge against him and accepted the standard three-match penalty.”

He will also miss the Championship games against Ipswich and Preston.

His team-mate Ryan Manning is also suspended for the FA Cup semi-final but Saints boss Tonda Eckert is confident his side can cope with their absences.

“I think that we’ve shown in many parts of the season that we’re able to find ways to play football games without key players,” he said.

“It might change the approach a little bit on how we go about the games we have coming up now, but we’ve had this over different spells with important players missing.

“We just need to make sure we adapt in some moments, maybe in the way we press or the way we build with him but I’m sure we’ll find a way. I’m sure we’ll have a solution on Saturday.”

Meanwhile, captain Jack Stephens is also a doubt after pulling out of the team before the draw with Bristol City on Tuesday.

“We need to assess him over the next few days, he also felt a little something before the Swansea game but he was fine to give us some minutes towards the end so we just need to see where he’s at,” Eckert said.