England boss Gareth Southgate considering shock recall for West Brom striker Jay Rodriguez
Baggies star has scored just once in Premier League this season but Southgate believes he could be a good fit in his squad for Russia 2018
GARETH SOUTHGATE is considering handing Jay Rodriguez the chance to force his way into England's World Cup squad.
England boss Southgate is looking for attacking options as he prepares his group ahead of Russia 2018 - and Rodriguez is part of his thinking.
The West Brom forward has scored just one Premier League goal this season, but it is his all-round game that excites Southgate more.
With the Three Lions boss admitting he wants to play three at the back, he knows he needs players who are versatile and can play anywhere across the front line.
Rodriguez fits that profile, and is regarded as a player with a good footballing brain with the ability to link play and create.
The former Southampton striker was earmarked for a place in Roy Hodgson's squad in the last World Cup in Brazil.
He made his debut in a friendly against Chile in 2013, only to suffer a serious knee ligament injury which blighted him for the next two years.
A £12million move to West Brom in the summer has reinvigorated the striker, and his impressive displays even though he hasn't scored much have gone down well in the England camp.
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Southgate made a trip to Leicester on Monday to watch Rodriguez in person in the 1-1 Premier League draw at the King Power Stadium.
And now he is considering naming the 28-year-old in his squad for the friendly matches against Germany and Brazil next month.
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Harry Kane is the clear first choice attacker, and Manchester United's Marcus Rashford looks to have already cemented his place on the plane to Russia.
But the likely three remaining attacking places are still up for grabs, with Danny Welbeck to prove his fitness consistently and doubts surrounding the likes of Jamie Vardy, Jermain Defoe and Daniel Sturridge.
England play Germany at Wembley on November 10, and then entertain Brazil four days later in games that are likely to provide a stern test of the side's ability.
