Rodriguez missed out on a chance to go to the World Cup with England through injury. Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Jay Rodriguez is hoping to make his Southampton comeback before the end of the season to boost Saints' challenge for a Champions League place, sources have told ESPN FC.

Rodriguez, 25, has been out since last April after suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury that ruled him out of the World Cup.

The England international's return from that injury was delayed when he then suffered an infection in his knee.

But he is back in light training and aiming to play for Saints' under-21 side before returning to the first team.

Despite their bid to finish in the top four, Southampton have not been trying to push Rodriguez too fast in case he suffers another setback.

Manager Ronald Koeman has been cautious but former Burnley forward Rodriguez is determined to feature before the end of the campaign.

The 25-year-old scored 15 Premier League goals last season and ranked among the division's leading scorers when he was hurt in the defeat to Manchester City.

He has been monitored by City, Liverpool and Tottenham but, in his absence, has seen Southampton improve under Koeman and is looking forward to playing for the Dutchman.

In Rodriguez's absence, Southampton have signed attacking players Graziano Pelle, Shane Long, Sadio Mane, Dusan Tadic and Eljero Elia but none have been as prolific as the Englishman was last season.