Erwin Koeman described Jay Rodriguez’s hat-trick against KVV Quick 1920 as “a victory for him.”

The 25-year-old striker hit a treble as he continued his comeback from more than a year out through injury.

Though the standard of opposition wasn’t overly testing Saints still won the game 10-0 with Rodriguez and Graziano Pelle both hitting trebles.

Though assistant manager Koeman insists Rodriguez still needs more time to regain full fitness, he was delighted by what he saw.

“We knew that it would be an easy game but to score ten times is nice,” Koeman told the club website.

“I think more important is that some players played 90 minutes and that’s the biggest thing – we do not have injuries from this game.

“It’s not just the game, it’s also good training. You know in this type of game 80 per cent of the time you will have ball possession. We like to play the way we like to train.

“I don’t think you will play many games like this. If you play one like this it’s good because the boys can get confidence from the chances, from now on the big opponents are coming.

“Graziano is living for scoring and Jay is coming back and he made three goals as well. Jay maybe needs more time to be fit again. We are very glad he is training and playing games, but he needs time. It’s a victory for him.”

Koeman added: “The young players, they know when we start three or four weeks ago they will get some playing time and train with the first team. For them it’s very nice.”

Saints now prepare for a huge clash with Feyenoord on Thursday night – their final game before they head into Europa League action.

“That will be a massive pre-season game,” reflected Koeman.

“For the young players too, but for Clasie, Pellè, Ronald and I, we all played or trained over there.

“50,000 people. It will be a massive ambience there against a team who will normally be better than Groningen. It’s good preparation for Vitesse.”