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West Brom Boss Tony Pulis Discusses His Expectations for New Signing Jay Rodriguez

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​Tony Pulis has revealed he hopes Jay Rodriguez can be the answer to his side's striking woes for the upcoming season.

The Baggies only hit 43 goals in their 38 league matches in 2016/17, with Salamon Rondon finishing as the club's top scorer with eight.

HONG KONG, HONG KONG - JULY 18: West Bromwich Albion's Jay Rodriguez attaches Premier League Asia Trophy Skills Session at Macpherson Stadium on July 18, 2017 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. (Photo by Billy H.C. Kwok/Getty Images)

HONG KONG, HONG KONG - JULY 18: West Bromwich Albion's Jay Rodriguez attaches Premier League Asia Trophy Skills Session at Macpherson Stadium on July 18, 2017 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. (Photo by Billy H.C. Kwok/Getty Images)

Their lack of goal threat prompted Pulis to shell out £12m for Rodriguez, who couldn't force his way into the starting XI at Southampton under Claude Puel.

Pulis is confident in the 27-year-old, and said before his side's pre-season game with Leicester as quoted by ​Sky Sports: "Jay, up until he got his injury, was playing for England and you're looking at an extraordinary talent when he was at Southampton.

"I've spoken to a lot of people who have worked with him and, apart from those ravenous injuries, everyone will tell you he's a fantastic character. He works hard and his goal scoring speaks for itself. There's no question we need more competition up front and he'll bring that competition."

Southampton's English striker Jay Rodriguez (C) passes the ball under pressure from Arsenal's French midfielder Francis Coquelin during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on May 10, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Adrian DENNIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)

Southampton's English striker Jay Rodriguez (C) passes the ball under pressure from Arsenal's French midfielder Francis Coquelin during the English Premier League football match between Southampton and Arsenal at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton, southern England on May 10, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Adrian DENNIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)

Rodriguez suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Manchester City in April 2014 and was sidelined for 16 months, and arguably hasn't been able to pick up where he left off, but with a new lease of life at the Hawthorns now on the horizon, football fans may well get to see a return of the man who was knocking on the door of the England starting XI.

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