Rodriguez commits to Southampton

Southampton striker Jay Rodriguez has signed a new contract with the Premier League club until 2019.

The 25-year-old recently returned to training following over a year on the sidelines due an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Rodriguez had been strongly linked with a move away from St Mary’s Stadium at the end of the season, but the former Burnley man put pen to paper on a new deal on Tuesday.

He told the club’s official YouTube channel: “I’m delighted. It’s a great club and we’ve done amazingly this year.

“It’s been a tough year for myself being out, but I’m really delighted to sign the contract. It’s now about looking forward to the future.

“The medical staff have all worked tirelessly with me, so this is great news. I just want to carry on improving now and to try to get some game time.”

Rodriguez joined Southampton from his hometown club Burnley in June 2012 and scored nine goals in his first season at St Mary’s, then improved on that tally by finding the back of the net 17 times in the 2013-14 campaign.

He also won his solitary senior England cap in a friendly against Chile back in November 2013.

Tottenham and Liverpool were reportedly eager to lure him away from Southampton when the transfer window reopens at the end of the season.