Southampton forward Jay Rodriguez has insisted that he is full of motivation to return to action after missing out on an England World Cup place due to injury.

The 24-year-old was tipped to be included in Roy Hodgson's 23-man squad in Brazil, but his hopes were dashed after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in April.

"I'm motivated to get back," Rodriguez told BBC Radio Solent. "I'm a great believer in everything happens for a reason. In the long run I'll look back at this and see it as a testing but also character building time."

Rodriguez earned his first call-up to the Three Lions squad in November last year.