Jay Rodriguez out until February as Ronald Koeman reveals setback in Southampton striker's recovery from knee injury - Jay Rodriguez ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in April
- Southampton and England striker was expected to return this month
- Saints manager Ronald Koeman confirms setback in Rodriguez's recovery
- Koeman says Rodriguez will be out for at least another six weeks
Southampton manager Ronald Koeman expects Jay Rodriguez's rehabilitation from a long-term knee injury to keep him out for at least another six weeks. An awkward fall at Manchester City in April saw the 25-year-old rupture an anterior cruciate ligament, the injury ruling him out of the reckoning for England's World Cup squad.
Rodriguez has yet to make his return more than eight months later and,
having gone under the knife again last month to clear out his knee, a comeback does not appear imminent. The news is a blow to Tottenham's hopes of signing the striker in January.
Before the routine operation Saints had hoped to have last season's top scorer back for the hectic festive period; now it looks like a return will not come until February.
'He had to make a step back in his recovery,' Koeman said.
'That was a pity because I remember when we spoke about the squad in the pre-season I said Jay will be like a fantastic signing for December or January and he isn't.
'All these kind of unlucky moments are part of the difficult time that we have.
'After a big injury, you don't have to rush. He needs time and we give him the time to come back, but it's a pity because he's a great player. 'It's always difficult now because it's not good to fix on a special date to come back. He's now making steps forwards and he needs more time and that's the most important.
'To fix a date makes pressure on the player and the medical staff.'
While keen not to say when Rodriguez would make his comeback, Koeman did admit a return before February was unlikely.
'I think now, in this situation, he will not be available before the end of January,' he said. 'No, no.'
Rodriguez is one of a host of players unavailable for the visit of Everton this weekend, with Jack Cork, Dusan Tadic, Sam Gallagher and Jake Hesketh also sidelined by injury.
Morgan Schneiderlin, Victor Wanyama and Florin Gardos are suspended for the St Mary's encounter, while Graziano Pelle and Steven Davis are doubts.
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