Jay Rodriguez is about to step up his training and could make a comeback before the end of the season says Southampton manager Ronald Koeman at today's press conference.

Speaking ahead of the vital game in the Midland's against Stoke City Ronald Koeman has revealed that after over a year on the sidelines Jay Rodriguez is on the verge of a first team return and that hopefully the striker will be at the club next season.

Rodriguez is due to return to elements of first team training next week, with Koeman hoping he may be able to make a first team appearance at the end of the season.

“I hope that he can be part in one or maybe the last one. Maybe it will be on one side a tough one because the last one is Man City and he got this injury against them.

“That will be nice to end the season but the focus has to be next season and if he is part of one or two games this season it will be great for him, great for the team, great for the club.

“He is putting everything to get back but we are not in a hurry. If he comes back he has to be 100 per cent and that’s most important.”

Photo: Action Images

SaintBrock added 07:38 - Apr 17 A good sound bite perhaps but very doubtful they will risk him surely? At such a late stage of the season isn't it best to be a little bit more patient and let him work up his match experience and fitness in pre-season. He and we should fear that first physically crunching tackle from some bone-headed sadistic sod of a centre back who can't match his pace so adopts the Keown 'reducer' method of stopping him.

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