West Brom's Jay Rodriguez dreams of World Cup call-up
Albion striker Jay Rodriguez left Liverpool with glowing praise from Steven Gerrard ringing in his ears – but admits he cannot afford to think about a World Cup call-up this summer.
Former England and Liverpool captain Gerrard, a television summariser for the Baggies’ 3-2 FA Cup fourth-round win at Anfield, said Rodriguez’s two-goal performance had played him back into England contention.
National team manager Gareth Southgate was there to witness the display as the 28-year-old took his tally to five in his last six matches.
But the forward insists he cannot get carried away with thinking about adding to his solitary England cap won in 2013.
“Steven Gerrard is a legend and you look up to players like that. It’s amazing, I’m really chuffed about that,” said Rodriguez, who scored five goals in four games in March 2014 and only days into April ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament which sidelined him for 11 months and ruled him out of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
“You’d be lying if you were a player and never thought there is a World Cup at the end of the season and you weren’t looking towards that.
“You’ve got to aspire to the highest level you can and for me that is an amazing dream.
“At the moment I have to keep myself grounded and keep working hard.”
