FORMER Burnley striker Jay Rodriguez has signed a new contract at Southampton to keep him at the south coast club until 2019.

Rodriguez has been heavily linked with a move to Tottenham or Manchester City in recent months, even though he has not featured for Southampton for 13 months because of a knee injury.

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The 25-year-old England international is now nearing a return to action and has put pen to paper on an extended deal with Southampton, who are currently seventh in the Premier League.

“I’m delighted,” Rodriguez said. “It’s a great club and we’ve done amazingly this year.

“It’s been a tough year for myself being out, but I’m really delighted to sign the contract. It’s now about looking forward to the future. The medical staff have all worked tirelessly with me, so this is great news.

“I just want to carry on improving now and to try to get some game time.”

“It’s very good news for the club because there was some speculation about Jay and interest from other big clubs,” said manager Ronald Koeman.

“So it is a compliment to the club that we have an agreement with Jay. He is close to being back and that is already good news for everyone.

“He has signed until 2019, which is great news because it is a good signal to everyone inside and outside the club that he believes in the future of Southampton.

“He is close to being back now and after an Under 21 game he might be in the squad for the Manchester City game.”