Southampton's Jay Rodriguez 'will not be available before the end of January'

Jay Rodriguez's recovery isn't going too well.

On Friday, Southampton manager Ronald Koeman provided a grim injury update on Rodriguez, who has been sidelined since April after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament during a match against Manchester City.

"He had to make a step back in his recovery," Koeman said, according to the Guardian. "That was a pity because I remember when we spoke about the squad in the preseason I said Jay will be 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 forward and he needs more time and that's the most important. To fix a date makes pressure on the player and the medical staff."

Rodriguez was initially expected to be out about six months, a timeline that meant he would have returned to the pitch in October. However, he went under the knife again last month to clear out his right knee, and Koeman doesn't anticipate a return any earlier than six weeks from now.

"I think now, in this situation, he will not be available before the end of January," Koeman said.

Before suffering the injury last season, Rodriguez had notched 15 goals and three assists in 33 appearances and was expected to be part of England's World Cup squad.