Injured Saints striker Jay Rodriguez is being linked with a move to Tottenham - even though he might not be playing again until near Christmas.

The north London club's interest in the England international - who scored 15 goals for Saints in 2013/15 to finish as the club's top marksman - is genuine.

And the speculation will only continue to be fanned by the news that Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino - under whom Rodriguez has flourished at St Mary's - is one of the bookmakers' favourites to replace Tim Sherwood at White Hart Lane.

Sherwood was today axed by Tottenham despite leading them to a sixth place finish, including two 3-2 wins against Pochettino's Saints - including the March game at White Hart Lane when Spurs came from 0-2 down to triumph.

Rodriguez was Saints' record signing when he arrived in July 2012 for £7m from Burnley.

Having made his senior England debut against Chile at Wembley last November, he was in the form of his life prior to suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury at Manchester City on April 5.

After that, Saints struggled to score goals from open play - with Rickie Lambert the only man to score for the club after Rodriguez's injury.