Mauricio Pochettino praises Southampton's Jay Rodriguez
Monday 26 December 2016 14:24, UK
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino said he sent Jay Rodriguez a text to congratulate him on scoring twice for Southampton against Bournemouth.
But the Argentine coach admits the striker's return to form, following two years of injury problems, comes at the wrong time for Spurs ahead of their trip to St Mary's Stadium on Wednesday.
Rodriguez scored 17 goals in 2013-14 during Pochettino's final season in charge on the south coast before rupturing ligaments in his right knee against Manchester City.
The forward looked back to his best eight days ago after scoring two goals, which included a stunning long-range strike, as Claude Puel's side beat Bournemouth 3-1.
"I was very happy. I sent him a text," Pochettino said.
"I was happy to see him on the pitch again. He suffered a very bad injury and I remember, fresh in my mind, that day at Manchester City.
"He's a top player, a top man and we were happy to see him score against Bournemouth.
"Now though we will suffer him because he will be our enemy and our opponent. But I'm happy he's back to his level. He's a top person."
Pochettino enjoyed a close relationship with Rodriguez at the Saints and was reportedly eager to bring the striker with him to White Hart Lane in 2014.
Asked about the possibility of reigniting his interest, the former Southampton boss said: "There were a lot of players linked with Tottenham at that moment."
Both teams will be looking to continue recent resurgences on Wednesday, with Spurs winning four out of their last five matches while Southampton are unbeaten in four.
Pochettino's men sit a point behind Arsenal and fourth place while Puel's side are seventh.
