Russell Martin explains why Downes had to withdraw from lineup against Wolves

The 25 year old was replaced by Joe Aribo in the starting lineup at Molineux after withdrawing from the side during the warm-up. Downes felt a problem with his knee in training on Friday, Martin has revealed, but tried to play on before deciding he was unfit to start. Without Downes, Saints conceded inside the first two minutes when Pablo Sarabia took the ball around Aaron Ramsdale and fired into an empty net. Matheus Cunha fired in from distance after both Mateus Fernandes and Cameron Archer went down under a challenge from home players. Asked if Downes' initial inclusion in the squad suggests his injury is not serious, Martin told the Daily Echo: "It was a big loss for us. Flynn Downes tried to warm up despite picking up a knee injury on Friday (Image: Adam Davy/PA) "We lose so much physicality and running power. He's amazing in transition, which is Wolves' biggest strength. "So it's a big loss for us before the game. He hit a shot yesterday and felt something in his knee. He wanted to give it a go, such as his character. "He just didn't feel right in the warm-up. We'll scan that and hopefully, we'll have good news and it won't be too long. "He said to us he felt a bit 50-50 yesterday, he felt a bit better today, but he just felt he couldn't do what he wanted to do. "You could see him in the warm-up, grimacing a little bit. He tried, such is his character, and I know that if he could he would have. Hopefully, it's not a bad one." Saints are back in action after the international break, when they host title-challengers Liverpool at St Mary's on Sunday, November 24 (2pm).