When James Ward Prowse signed for West Ham United last week, it was said Flynn Downes was about to be coming in the opposite direction, but then nothing happened aside from a vague announcement that he was ill, whatever the reason he is reported to be having the medical on today.

Saints supporters have had a lot to be sceptical about over the past 12 months, so when it was announced that Flynn Downes medical for his loan move to St Mary's had been delayed due to illness, you could excuse raised eyebrows in SO postcodes.

As the weekend arrived and still no sign of Downes or news of just what his mystery illness actually was, it was no surprise that the Southampton faithful were getting itchy.

Now footballinsider.com are reporting this:

"The Saints secured a breakthrough late on Saturday in talks to land the 24-year-old and the deal will be completed in the next 24-48 hours."

They don't reveal what that "breakthrough" actually was, presumably it was a breakthrough in medical science, perhaps a little bit more than upping the dosage of Lemsip or Imodium tablets, or perhaps a thicker pair of socks to cure the outbreak of cold feet, whatever it was though did the trick and now it seems that Downes is now fit and well enough to take his medical.

Flynn Downes (4) Admires Shane Long's Extra Time Winner At Swansea In The FA Cup.

It seems that this will happen today and that the signing will be announced either this evening or tomorrow and he should therefore be ready to make his debut at home to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

I don't particularly blame Saints here for the lack of communication, after all just what could they say, it seemed a done deal last weekend, then suddenly it didn't, certainly up to fairly recently Downes was very reluctant to leave West Ham and the Premier League and wanted to stay and fight for his place.

Pressure was applied on him from David Moyes to go so that they could complete the signing of James Ward Prowse, but viewing from afar it seemed that once JWP's signature was on the contract, Downes suddenly changed his mind.

Either way something seems to have happened over the weekend and it now looks set to be done.

Photo: Action Images

underweststand added 14:56 - Aug 21 If Downes has been sick recently ,,(rumoured stomach problem) he would be in no fit state to go through a strenuous medical before we commit to signing him. Seems like this has dragged on ..in part because WHam were so intransigent over the fee for Prowsey. (I expect them to be bragging about what a good deal they got). So we have to wait ...a little longer, but don't worry maybe Rudi Skacel will sign sooner.

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