Southampton striker Ricki Lambert is backing Jay Rodriguez to break into the England squad.

The Scouse sharpshooter reckons ex-Burnley ace Rodriguez, 23, will be the Saints star catching Roy Hodgson's eye after scoring three times in three games.

Ahead of today's home clash with West Ham, Lambert, 31, said: "It is only a matter of time before Jay does get a chance with England if he carries on like this.

"He is like a player reborn. At the start of the season he wasn't as confident as we had hoped he would be - but slowly and surely the confidence has come back.

"He's such a good player. It makes my job so much easier when playing alongside him, as he is on fire.

"If he carries on like this then anything's possible for him."