Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin believes that teammate Jay Rodriguez was a definite inclusion in England's World Cup squad before he was struck by injury.

The forward was stretchered off with a knee injury during Saturday's 4-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

"My point of view is he had the tickets already in his pocket and an injury was the only thing that could have taken the ticket out of his pocket," Schneiderlin told the Southern Daily Echo.

"It's such a shame. I just hope the scan is going to say something nice, and I hope he's going to be back on the pitch as soon as possible."

Before the Saints' defeat to title chasers City, Rodriguez had netted five goals in his last four appearances.