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Jay Rodriguez is aiming to make his Southampton comeback by the end of February after almost a year on the sidelines because of a cruciate knee ligament injury. Sources told ESPN FC that Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester City are among the clubs monitoring the England international, but he will not move during the January transfer window. Southampton have also tabled an offer of a new contract to the 25-year-old, but his focus is on returning to full fitness and no decision on his future will be taken in the meantime. Rodriguez was hurt in Southampton's 4-1 defeat to City in April, then suffered a setback before Christmas, his injury coming at a time when he was the top-scoring Englishman in the Premier League and ruling him out of the World Cup. His return, which will follow an outing in the club's under-21 side, will come as a welcome boost to Southampton in their quest for a top-four finish. Certainly, the prospect of Champions League football, as Saints sit third in the table after an incredible run of form so far this season, could make Rodriguez more likely to commit his future to the club. Southampton sold five key players -- Rickie Lambert, Dejan Lovren, Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw and Calum Chambers -- last summer for a combined total of 93 million pounds and also lost manager Mauricio Pochettino to Southampton. Rodriguez, who was a six million-pound signing from Burnley in 2012, was converted from a striker to a left winger at St Mary's and scored 15 league goals last season.
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