Monday 3 August 2015 10:58, UK
Southampton striker Jay Rodriguez is targeting a return to the England squad following his goalscoring return to St Mary’s.
Rodriguez scored his side’s only goal as the Saints drew 1-1 with Spanish side Espanyol in what was his first home game in 16 months.
The 26-year-old ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament against Manchester City in April 2014 and made his comeback on the pre-season trip to Austria, where he netted twice against Red Bull Leipzig.
“You have got to aim high and for me the highest is to go and represent your country,” Rodriguez said.
“That is the main thing, it was the best achievement of my career so far and I want to replicate that. I’ve got a lot of hard work to do and hopefully it will come if I keep working hard.
“You always have to look the highest you can but it’s a long way to go and I’m just taking it week by week and by each game.”
His manager Ronald Koeman was delighted with the England international’s performance but warned there was still work to be done before Rodriguez is ready for his competitive return in the Premier League.
He said: “He was a long time out and he is already scoring goals. The goal he scored is all about quality of the player. That is very positive.
“Now in a physical way he has to be 100 percent because that is what you need in the Premier League.”
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