Claude Puel confirmed that Jay Rodriguez could still leave Saints on loan in the next few days despite coming off the bench to rescue a point against Sunderland.

Rodriguez levelled things up with five minutes remaining at St Mary’s after Saints had fallen behind to Jermain Defoe’s penalty.

The 27-year-old striker’s goal was his first in the league since March 2014, after two seasons almost written off through injury.

There has been considerable interest from Premier League sides who want to take Rodriguez on loan, with West Brom leading the chase for his signature.

With Sofiane Boufal set to join for a club record £21m, Rodriguez is likely to find his options limited at St Mary’s, and with the player desperately needing a run of games he could yet leave temporarily to build himself up again.

Puel said: “We will see the next days.

“I am happy for Jay to score this afternoon because after his injuries it was important he came back and he score.

“We will see the possibilities for us and for Jay and we will discuss with Jay.

“It’s important to listen and to have a good discussion with him for the future to stay at Southampton or to have more possibilities at another team.

“We will see the outcome with Jay and the possibilities also for Southampton to stay in action on this window.”

Puel felt the result was another two points dropped for Saints, much like the opening day draw with Watford.

“It was the type of game to analyse,” he reflected. “A lot of disappointment because I think we make a very good game and with the start in the game the 20 first minutes were fantastic, many possibilities, good play. We don’t score in the strong moment of the game and it was a pity.

“After to finish the first half it was a little difficult with a good team of Sunderland.

“We came back in the second half with good intentions, we had many possibilities, we make attack but you don’t score.

“Just one situation this team score near the end of the game with a penalty and it was very hard for my players.

“It’s interesting for the future to see my players don’t leave the game and to score and to find the equaliser with Jay.

“It was important to come back on this game but it’s a bad result because you have lost two points more.”