Jay Rodriguez thrilled to be fit and firing for West Brom

The 17-goal top-scorer has started every game this season for the Baggies and has proven to be one of the club’s mainstays in their quest for a return to the Premier League at the first attempt.

And after an injury-ravaged time at previous club Southampton, Rodriguez is happy to be able to string a long run of games together.

The 29-year-old suffered serious cruciate ligament damage as well as undergoing ankle surgery during his time on the south coast; injuries that cost him a total of a year-and-half on the sidelines at St Mary’s.

But since joining Albion, happily those days look to be behind him.

Rodriguez said: “Obviously I’ve had my problems in the past, that was always questioned, but I always had the belief.

“I put extra hours into working on my fitness.”

He added: “When I came to West Brom, the games were thick and fast. It’s a positive for me to get out there and play.

“To look back, I didn’t realise that (I had started every game), but it’s a really big thing for me and hopefully I’m helping the team that’s the main thing.

“I just want to carry on and keep getting fitter.”

And now he is concentrating on continuing the push for promotion after Albion’s last-gasp winner at Loftus Road on Tuesday night.

“It was some feeling,” added the former Burnley man.

“That’s what you work hard for, those feelings in games and that moment.

“Everyone’s buzzing. It’s a weird one because everyone has got to go for recovery and get ready for the game on Saturday. That’s where our focus is at now.

“The lads dug in well. Every person in the squad and the staff everyone sticks together here. That’s the outcome we want. The changing room was mental. That’s what football is all about.

“That’s why you have those tough training sessions and why you work so hard. “Things didn’t go right for us at times in the game, but to have that belief means more to us. We’ve just got to carry on now and really step it up.”

And is there anything better than a last-minute winner?

“It’s not good for the heart!” he laughed. “That feeling when you’re just so happy to get the three points against QPR who made it really difficult for us.

“It’s an absolute buzz.”