Ronald Koeman was understandably delighted at Jay Rodriguez’s St Mary’s comeback, but has warned that the Premier League season has come a little too early for him to be heavily involved from the start.

Rodriguez scored a screamer five minutes from the end of yesterday’s 1-1 draw against Espanyol to cap his first game at St Mary’s since March 2014.

Having recovered from the serious knee injury that has ruled him out for more than a year, Rodriguez is battling back to full fitness and sharpness.

Koeman is very happy with what he has seen but doesn’t think Rodriguez is quite ready to be in his plans to start the Premier League opener against Newcastle on Sunday.

He said: “To start yes (the season has come too soon).

“Already the Premier League is too fast, yes.”

He added: “It was his first time back in St Mary’s, a long time ago for Jay.

“He scored a great goal, he was playing 90 minutes and in moments of the game you see he still needs more minutes, more rhythm of play, and it’s normal because he was a long time out and he gets that time and that opportunity to come back what we expect from Jay.”

New signing Steven Caulker was also making a milestone appearance at St Mary’s – his first since joining on a season long loan deal.

Caulker looked assured at the back and Koeman is happy that he is ready to be thrust into action.

Caulker’s registration has been lodged with UEFA meaning that he could feature in the second against Vitesse on Thursday night if Koeman wishes to start him.

“He needs fitness but he’s like everybody because he already played two times 70 minutes and two times 90 minutes,” said Koeman of his new centre half.

“In that he is like everybody and now he has to adapt to the system, and how we like to play from the back and maybe a little bit different than he normally is doing but he’s got time for that.”

The return leg against Vitesse just a few days before the Premier League curtain raiser certainly makes it a busy week for Saints, but Koeman is happy with how things are shaping up with the pre-season friendlies now completed.

“In general happy about the spirit of the players,” he reflected.

“I think this pre-season was a little bit different because we had to play against Vitesse for the European league but still one week to go until the Premier League starts.

“Ok, it’s a tough week because we play two difficult ones in three days but we are prepared for that.”