English international’s return could buoy Southampton’s Champions League push

Southampton forward Jay Rodriguez has taken a big step in his bid to return for the Saints this season

Rarely does a player competing for 60 minutes in a U21 match mean much to a club’s chances of securing a Champions League place, but for Southampton and Jay Rodriguez it does. The English international played an hour for the Saints’ U21 team in a precursor to what the club hopes will be a senior team return.

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Rodriguez has missed the past five months of action for the Saints after yet another severe injury. Not that long ago, the forward was experiencing a meteoric rise under then-Saints manager Mauricio Pochettino, but now his name is more synonymous with frequent injuries than any type of on-field success. Still, Saints fans are optimistic that he can put his injuries behind him and become a factor for the club as they try to chase down a Champions League spot this season.

Southampton currently sits seven points behind fourth-place Manchester City in the race for the Premier League’s final Champions League spot. The fact that the Citizens still have a game-in hand over the Saints only further adds to the great challenge the club faces if they want to achieve European glory.

Still, it’s not out of the question that Southampton could continue their surge up the table to pip the spot for City. Manuel Pellegrini’s men have been in poor form as of late and don’t seem to have anything left to play for under their lame-duck manager. In contrast, manager Ronald Koeman has the Saints peaking towards the end of the season.

If Southampton is going to make that sort of run they will need a little good fortune. Certainly the return of a healthy Jay Rodriguez would fit that definition. While it’s unfair to expect him to make a consistent impact after such a long lay-off, the club can hope that he will be fit enough to be an impact substitute as the season ends.

Scoring the right goal off the bench at the right time could be the difference between the Europa League and Champions League football for Koeman’s men. That’s how tight the margins are in the Premier League this season.

Southampton will need every break they can get to close the gap on the top four and maybe, just maybe, Jay Rodriguez’s return can be the difference to push them into the coveted fourth spot in the final Premier League standings.