Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has stated that Jay Rodriguez is not ready to return to international football with England.
The 26-year-old was ruled out for 16 months after tearing his ACL in April 2014, which put paid to his hopes of making the England squad for last summer's World Cup in Brazil.
Rodriguez made his comeback earlier this month, but Koeman has warned England boss Roy Hodgson that he will need to be patient with the forward.
"In my opinion it's too soon," Koeman told ESPN. "That's one of the reasons that he is not playing or starting Thursday, Sunday, Thursday, Sunday.
"It takes time after so long a period outside the pitch and working hard to come back. He needs time to come back for the national team as well. It takes time, this is normal. I'm already a little bit surprised how he did last week on Thursday because he was really on a high level. It's normal he is still not 100 per cent.
"When he's 100 per cent and when he is on his level for sure he will be an interesting player for the national squad, but don't put too much pressure on Jay."
Rodriguez, who has won one England cap, netted in Southampton's 1-1 draw with FC Midtjylland in the first leg of their Europa League playoff last Thursday.
Steven Toplis
