Covid hit me so hard but I’m working on getting back to 100 per cent – Downes

FLYNN Downes admits he’s continuing to adjust after a brutal bout of coronavirus during the opening month of the campaign.

The Swansea City summer signing missed three fixtures after testing positive for the virus along with Wales international Ben Cabango.

It came during a significant period of concern for the club whose youth players were sent home after a number of cases were reported - with the Under-23 side’s schedule being significantly impacted.

And midfielder Downes admits he was wiped out by the condition.

“Covid was bad. To be fair I wasn’t really too convinced about it. Everyone was getting ill with it and I thought ‘it’s not that bad’,” he explained.

“Then it hit me and I was gone for a good eight days, literally done. I lost a lot of weight.

“To be honest I still don’t feel 100 per cent. Covid-wise I do, but fitness-wise I still don’t feel 100 per cent. Hopefully in the next couple of games I can get there.

“I think I had every symptom there was. I think I had new symptoms. My skin was sore. My missus would touch me and I would be like ‘whoa’. It was crazy.

“It was horrible – losing weight, not eating, sweats.”

As a result of his weight loss, Downes is now continuing to monitor his diet in a bid to return to peak condition.

“It takes time to put weight back on. I am just trying to eat as much as I can,” he said.

“With a lot of games it’s tough but you have to stick at it. I am trying to eat more. It’s bulking season!

“Healthy foods, but just more of it. When we have lunch here I am trying to eat more, at home I am having more snacks - healthy snacks.

“I still feel I am not at my strongest so there’s a lot more to come.”

Downes played a key role as Swansea registered their first home Championship win under Russell Martin against Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

The 22-year-old scooped the manof-the-match award after a performance that saw him boast a 90.9% pass accuracy against the Terriers, a sum bettered only by Kyle Naughton when it comes to those who started for the hosts.

He won two aerial duels, four freekicks while he also made three tackles, two clearances and an interception in what was an impressive display.

“It was needed. It was coming definitely. I think apart from the first 45 minutes at Luton, the performances have been good and the win’s been coming. It was a nice feeling,” explained the former Ipswich Town man.

“The performances have been there but we have just been missing that little bit.

“I think we could have scored two or three the other day and it makes the second half a lot of easier, but I think we needed the win just for a bit of momentum. Hopefully we can take that into tomorrow [Fulham].”

Downes was one of six signings made by Swans head coach Martin.

He has started all six league matches he has been available for so far in his Swansea career, with Downes playing a key part from a deep-lying role under the current regime.

And the midfielder admits he’s fully enjoying working under Martin at the Swansea.com Stadium.

“Unbelievable. I love working with him,” he concluded.

“He gives me a lot of confidence and he knows exactly what he wants.

“I’m not confused about my job, I know what I’ve got to do, so I love working under him.”

For the latest Swansea City news and analysis delivered straight to your inbox, you can sign up for our newsletter.