According to reports from The Daily Mail, newly promoted Newcastle United could kick-start their return to the big-time with a summer transfer swoop for Southampton attacker Jay Rodriguez.

A truly saddening tale, the winger-forward was on the peripheries of the England squad ahead of the 2014 World Cup with a run of 15 goals in 33 Premier League outings, but suffered an injury prior to the tournament in Brazil that kept him sidelined for over a year.

After returning to first-team action last season, Rodriguez has gone on to make 28 appearances across all competitions this term, scoring five goals, but is still some way from rediscovering his pre-World Cup form.

Nonetheless, the 27-year-old is a talented and hardworking player who could well reach those levels once again if given a consistent run in the starting XI. So, Magpies fans, is he the striker Rafa Benitez needs to keep your club in the Premier League next season?

Let us know if you'd back a summer swoop for Rodriguez by voting below...

[ad_pod id='playwire' align='center']