Rodriguez found the net against Sunderland prior to the international break as he continues to build his way back up to full fitness.
Southampton’s Jay Rodriguez scores their first goal
Southampton manager Claude Puel seems encouraged by the progress that Jay Rodriguez has made so far as he looks to get back to his best prior to a knee injury he suffered over two years ago.
There were suggestions the forward would leave the club on loan this summer but the Saints boss kept him at St Mary’s and has seen positive signs from him – and Rodriguez managed to find the net prior to the international break by scoring the equaliser against Sunderland.
Southampton manager Claude Puel before the game
Puel is quoted in the Daily Echo, saying: “It was not just the goal that changed the idea to keep him.
“I think I saw Jay progress, improve, in all the training sessions.
“He take confidence and he came back step by step with a good physical level and he is a player with a good spirit, attitude, positive, and worked very well.
“I think perhaps his last goal is the first step of a great comeback in the team. I hope for this.”
Southampton’s Jay Rodriguez scores their first goal
The goal will certainly give Rodriguez confidence, and the fact he has been retained by the club for this season clearly suggests that Puel thinks he can do a job for them – and possibly force his way into the side on a regular basis.
Prior to his injury, Rodriguez had a lot of promise and was a very composed finisher, played off the shoulder off the last defender very well, and technically very good with the ball at his feet.
Fitness is they key thing, it seems, and the Saints boss has clearly seen enough from him to suggest that the player could return to somewhere near his best this season if he continues to progress.
It will be interesting to see just how many goals he manages to get under his belt this season, having already found the net for the first time.
Southampton’s Jay Rodriguez celebrates scoring their first goal
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