Jay Rodriguez marked his return from his injury nightmare with a brace as Southampton were edged 5-4 by RB Leipzig on Wednesday evening.
It has been 459 days since the England forward last played – in Southampton’s 4-1 defeat at Manchester City in April 2014 – but he made his mark in the 45-minute run-out he had against the 2. Bundesliga outfit.
Ronald Koeman gave Rodriguez the nod at half-time, and within eight minutes of coming on – with the game level at 1-1 – he had found the net as he volleyed home to put the Saints 2-1 ahead.
Jay Rodgriguez played once for England before his injury nightmare began
Four Leipzig goals in quick succession followed as the visitors took the upper hand.
But a strike from debutant Cedric Soares pulled one back for Koeman’s side before Rodriguez notched his second to narrow the margin of defeat.
Koeman made the most of the players available to him – with nine substitutions and only two players completing more than 45 minutes.
“He scored two good goals. That gives everyone a positive feeling about tonight and for sure the same for Jay”
Ronald Koeman
Also in action for the south coast club were Jordan Turnbull, Harrison Reed, Jack Stephens, Ryan Seager and Sam Gallagher – who have all worn Three Lions shirts in the development teams.
But it was Rodriguez’s return that pleased the manager the most.
“It was his first 45 minutes and he did well,” he told the club’s official YouTube channel.
“He scored two good goals. That gives everyone a positive feeling about tonight and for sure the same for Jay.”
Next up for Southampton is a 45-minute game against Valencia at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg on 11 July.
It kicks off at 3pm, and later in the same day they will play another 45-minute match against either Werder Bremen or Red Bull Salzburg.
