Jay Rodriguez will almost be like a new signing for Southampton next season.

The 25-year old striker has missed the entire Premier League campaign thus far with a knee injury but is expected to return in next weekend's trip to Manchester City, who coincidentally, is the team and venue where he sustained the problem.

Nevertheless, Rodriguez will be fully fit for the 2015/16 season and Saints boss Ronald Koeman is excited to finally have him at his disposal.

"He's a very dangerous front player that makes the team even stronger," Koeman said.

"He will give us very good competition between the strikers, that will be important for next season.

"If Jay can have a good pre-season, we have a new player in our team and that is fantastic news.

"He was part of the sessions this week. We are waiting for confirmation about an Under-21 game against Manchester City at home next Tuesday.

"He will be part of that, maybe in the second half, and then after that there is a possibility to take Jay with the squad to the Man City game.

"It will be nice for everybody because that will mean he is back but it is too early to make that kind of decision, we have to wait."