Ronald Koeman has pleaded “don’t put too much pressure on Jay Rodriguez.”

The Saints boss has been delighted with the progress of the 26-year-old at the start of this season as he finds form and fitness again following a year out with a knee injury.

Koeman admitted that he has been surprised by just how quickly Rodriguez was starting to get going again, but he also warned that Rodriguez still needs time to get back to his very best, and called for patience while he carefully manages his return.

“I think it’s normal that it takes time for Jay,” reflected Koeman, who saw Rodriguez score from the penalty spot last Thursday to earn Saints a 1-1 first leg draw with FC Midtjylland, with the return fixture in Denmark this evening.

“I’m surprised about what he did last Thursday because it was really on a high level and he’s still not 100 per cent, and when he’s 100 per cent and on his level for sure he will be an interesting player for the national squad.

“Don’t put too much pressure on Jay.

“It will come. First Southampton, it takes time and first concentrate to Southampton and if he is 100 per cent be sure he will be one of the targets for the national team.”

Koeman admitted that he is having to hold Rodriguez back for his own sake.

“Yes but I spoke several times to Jay and we speak about his situation,” he confessed.

“To give example the day after last week, the Thursday, he stayed inside to recover and wasn’t outside with the rest of the team.

“We know he needs time after 70-80 minutes. He didn’t play that Thursday 90 minutes because we have to take care of his fitness.

“We like to Jay in two months really on his level and then normally he will start every game and will play normally 90 minutes because it’s an important player for the team.”

Koeman won’t put a timeline on how long he thinks it will take for Rodriguez to be 100 per cent again, but does believe that talk of a quick recall to the latest England squad, which is named on Sunday, is too much at this stage.

“In my opinion it is too soon,” he said.

“Still I a little bit take care of Jay because that’s one of the reasons he is not starting Thursday, Sunday, Thursday, Sunday.

“It takes time after so long period out of the pitch and working hard to come back.

“It needs time to come back for the national team as well.”

Rodriguez is in contention to feature against Midtjylland tonight, with Saints needing their attacking options firing if they are to win through the away leg and make it to the Europa League group stages.

Saints will be without Victor Wanyama, who was taken to hospital in Southampton for tests after feeling unwell and diagnosed with a stomach infection.

Sadio Mane, who came off injured in the goalless draw at Watford, could be available.

“Sadio we have to wait. Yesterday (Tuesday) he didn’t train. The first part of the session today (Wednesday) he will be separate of the group and then we will see if he is available” said Koeman.

“I have a good hope but we have to wait.

“Victor Wanyama wasn’t travelling with the team because from yesterday on he is ill and the latest update of the doctor this afternoon is that he had a stomach infection.”