Former Tottenham star Darren Anderton says Southampton crock Jay Rodriguez faces a huge challenge to get back.
Rodriguez's World Cup hopes were cruelly extinguished on Saturday when he fell awkwardly during the 4-1 defeat at Manchester City, rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.
"It is very difficult," Anderton told BBC Late Kick Off South, South West and West. "At least he knows that it is six months - he has got to get his head around that.
"I got injured in seasons going up to a World Cup or European Championships, but I was lucky I got fit just in time to go and take part in those.
"It will be even more difficult for him but he is at a great football club, he has had a great time.
"He has just got to get himself right. He has got to forget about the World Cup. I am sure he won't want to watch it.
"[My message to him would be] just keep your head up. It is difficult.
"It is all part of the game, all part of football. He has had a great season, he has been a great signing for Southampton.
"He has just got to get himself fit and carry on what he has been doing."
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