Jamie Redknapp shares his joy at Jay Rodriguez’s weekend heroics

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The former Southampton midfielder was pleased to see J-Rod back in form.

Former Southampton player and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp has been singing the praises of Southampton attacker Jay Rodriguez – as he burst into form for the Saints against Bournemouth yesterday.

The Southampton attacker is being tasked with getting the goals for Southampton now that Charlie Austin is currently out with an injury problem.

He did not disappoint, scoring twice in a 3-1 win as Southampton put their South Coast rivals to the sword.

Southampton’s Jay Rodriguez celebrates scoring their second goal

It was a welcome return to form for Rodriguez, whose career has been on the ropes since a serious knee injury picked up in April 2014, just as he had made his way into the England national team.

Redknapp, who played for Southampton for six months at the end of his career, ended up retiring from knee problems so understands the problems that have been facing Rodriguez recently.

Southampton’s Jay Rodriguez in action with Liverpool’s Joel Matip and Nathaniel Clyne

Speaking in the Daily Mail, he made it clear he hoped this could be the start of a sensational comeback story for Rodriguez:

“Nothing made me smile more this weekend than Jay Rodriguez’s double for Southampton.

“Before his injury two years ago it looked like he was set for a bright future with England. He will have had so many dark days on his road to recovery but has shown such strength not to let the injuries finish him.

“It was only his third league start of the season but he did not fail to impress. Rodriguez looked like a new signing against Bournemouth – his workrate was superb and he wasn’t afraid to go into challenges. Hopefully this can help him to go on a run and get his career going again.”

Jamie Redknapp in action during the Pro-Am

Southampton fans will certainly be pleased to see Rodriguez performing so well, and so should England fans.

The 27-year-old showed real glimpses of talent for the future before he picked up his injury and if he continues performing like this he could easily find his back into the national team contention.