There could be some familiar faces at the London Stadium on Saturday

When West Ham United take on Southampton this weekend, their former midfielder James Ward-Prowse is expected to return to the London Stadium pitch for the first time since August. However, another ex-Hammer faces a race against time to be involved.

Flynn Downes left West Ham for Southampton on loan in 2023, making the move permanent 12 months later. He has been a fixture in Tonda Eckert's side but injury has kept him out of action of late.

Eckert suggested the 27-year-old is pushing to play a part in East London on Saturday. However, the Daily Echo reports that Downes' absence from training photos could be a clue that the game has come too soon for him.

"[Flynn is] getting better day after day," Eckert said in his pre-match press conference on Friday morning. "We'll assess today and he's doing everything to be involved tomorrow."

Downes hasn't played since being forced off in the first half against Norwich on October 14. Saints top scorer Cyle Larin is also a doubt for the game after a collision with Bolton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu last time out.

"Cyle's injury was part of the hamstring towards the tendon, but it's the same for him that he's trying everything to make it tomorrow," Eckert added. "It's a different injury [to his recent one], his back is fine, it just came from a collision with Gavin Bazunu."

An England Under-20 international, Downes grew up supporting West Ham and got his dream move to the club in 2022. He made 35 appearances under David Moyes and was an unused substitute for the Conference League final victory, having come off the bench against AZ in the semis.

Ironically the arrival of Ward-Prowse at the London Stadium may have accelerated his exit. The England international and Mexico star Edson Alvarez both joined West Ham in August 2023, with Downes leaving on loan later the same month.

Even if he doesn't recover in time to feature on Saturday, the midfielder has already played once against his old employers this season. He came on for the final 30 minutes in the Carabao Cup second round but couldn't stop Southampton losing 4-1 at home to the Hammers.

The Saints go into Saturday's game in eighth place, five points behind second-placed West Ham, though that difference is in part down to them receiving a four-point deduction for their Spygate controversy. Eckert's team are unbeaten at home in the league but have just five points from their five away games, with their only away league victory coming at Norwich.