Friday 21 October 2016 15:15, UK
Jay Rodriguez is confident he will rediscover his goalscoring touch after passing up the chance to score in Southampton's Europa League defeat at Inter Milan on Thursday.
The forward was put through on goal in the ninth minute at the San Siro, with the game goalless, but hesitated before losing possession when well placed to score.
Rodriguez has been dogged by several injuries since recovering from anterior cruciate ligament damage he suffered away at Manchester City in 2014.
But the 27-year-old insisted his fitness was not a concern and hopes a run of matches in the first-team will see him regain his very best form.
"I feel fine, I feel great," Rodriguez, who has scored 31 goals in 96 appearances for the Saints, said.
"I just want more and more of it. That's what I need and I'm sure the goals will come. I just need to keep my fitness and keep on the field.
"I need regular games. That's the main thing. I need a run of games to find my form and the goals will come.
"It's one if those things, it just happens, but I'm working hard to keep extra fit and I'm sure I will be.
"I cut inside and I should have squared it or taken the shot early. It was just one of those things. I should have decided earlier what I was going to do.
"I'm not happy. I'm always like this after a game if I haven't scored.
"We came here to win and we had the chances to and, although we're disappointed, we can't keep our heads down."
Inter claimed all three points thanks to Antonio Candreva's second-half strike, but were forced to play the final 13 minutes with ten men after Marcelo Brozovic was sent off for two bookable offences.
It also gave Inter their first points of the competition and left Group I wide open when the Italian side - who visit St Mary's in a fortnight - had been at risk of elimination.
Asked about the competitive nature of the group, Rodriguez said: "We know that but we've got home games now and that'll be a strong point for us. We have to focus on the next game.
"It's a proud moment (to play at the San Siro) but it doesn't really mean anything when you lose. We have to now focus on (the Manchester City fixture) on Sunday."
Southampton are also waiting to learn the extent of the hamstring injury suffered by striker Shane Long against Inter.
The Republic of Ireland international pulled up three minutes into the second half and had to be replaced by Charlie Austin.
Manager Claude Puel has yet to discover how serious the problem is, but he confirmed Long will not be available for the trip to face City on Super Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 12.30pm.
"Shane Long will be out with his hamstring injury," said the Frenchman.
"I don't know for how long at the moment, I will have a look but I don't know the timescale of the injury."
