Jay Rodriguez could start some work with the first-team in the next few days, with Ronald Koeman hopeful the forward might be back to fitness in four or five weeks.

This Sunday will mark one year since Rodriguez ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament, in a 4-1 defeat at Manchester City.

The long road back may finally be coming to an end now, with Saints manager Koeman revealing that 25-year-old is getting closer to a return.

“Normally he will be part of the group in some different exercises from next week on,” said Koeman, who explained Rodriguez still isn't involved in any first-team sessions yet.

Daily Echo: Jay Rodriguez goes down injured at Manchester City

Jay Rodriguez in agony after suffering his knee injury on April 5, 2014.

The Saints boss stressed he was not saying that Rodriguez will be playing in four or five weeks' time, but that, if everything continues to go well, he could be fit enough to be considered for some action.

“It is all about how he is going until the next four weeks,” said Koeman.

“If that's going well, he can be a part of that, but if I say it is four weeks, it depends four or five weeks.

“That means that, in that planning, he will do exercises with the group, he will do sessions with the group and then you have to wait to how he is responding about playing a game.

“It is not like in four weeks he will play.

“It's all about how he is progressing in the next few weeks, but until now it is going well and it's going faster now than the period behind us.”

Koeman also confirmed that Rodriguez's first taste of action, when it comes, will be for the under-21 team.

“Of course, if he is ready to play, of course he will start with the under-21s, because that's lower intensity, that's more comfortable,” he said.

Daily Echo: Jay Rodriguez is comforted by Rickie Lambert

Jay Rodriguez being consoled by Rickie Lambert after his injury at Manchester City

The improvement Rodriguez is making has understandably led to Koeman seeing a growing sense of excitement in the player.

“Yes, of course,” said. “Already in the last few weeks because he is outside, then he is running, then he is touching the ball and that is really football.

“It is always important for the player, because that's good for his body, because that looks close to playing football.

“If you are working in the gym, it is far away and sometimes it's difficult for your mind.”

Koeman said it would also be a big boost to the team if Rodriguez can make it back before the season finishes.

“It is important because that's an injection for the team,” he said.

“He is a good player, he is a good attacker and he is really a scoring player and he is important, but it was a pity that he still is unavailable until now.”