Ronald Koeman is unsure whether Jay Rodriguez will play for Saints this season.

Rodriguez has been sidelined with a knee injury he sustained in April last year and is still some way from making a return to the first team.

Koeman would love to have Rodriguez at his disposal, but is far from certain he will be able to play a part before this season comes to an end.

“That will be the best notice (to have Rodriguez back), but it will be very difficult,” confessed Koeman.

“Still he is not very close to be part of the training session and I don’t know, really I don’t know.

“We don’t press the player. The most important is the health of the player and it will be a pity if he is not playing one game this season, most of all for the player by himself.

“Ok, then the player and we have to wait to next season, but the health and really to come back in the best physical way is the most important for Jay.”

Koeman also admitted that Rodriguez’s rehabilitation has taken longer than he expected, with the club having anticipated a return in the first part of this year.

“Yes, of course, because the planning was that he should be back in January, February. Now it is the beginning of March and he’s still not close,” said Koeman.

“Maybe he needs three, four, five weeks more to be part of the group, but it’s difficult.”

He added: “I’m confident that he will come back, but when I don’t know.”

Saints do have one significant piece of good news ahead tonight’s game against Crystal Palace with Toby Alderweireld fit to return.

Koeman expects the player to give them a lift when he starts again.

“His quality helps in our ball possession to build up, but I’m very happy about Maya (Yoshida), how he’s playing in the last few games,” said Koeman. “I think he’s playing and doing very well.

“He came very on a good way back from the Asian Cup, but we know the qualities of Toby.

“That’s a push for everybody if he is back in the team.”