The England international forward is in line to play a part in the club’s final game of the season away to Manchester City - the same place he suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament last April.
Rodriguez has not played for the first-team since, but he will take part in training sessions with the senior squad next week as he steps up his recovery, although Koeman is in no rush to bring the former Burnley man back.
Jay Rodriguez factfile
Age: 25
Club: Southampton
Position: Forward
International: 1 cap
England debut: v Chile, November 2013
"I hope that he can be part in one of the games, maybe the last one," Koeman said. "It will be a tough one because it will be versus Manchester City and he got his injury against them.
"But the focus has to be on next season. If he is part of one or two games this season it will be great for him, great for his team-mates and great for the club.
"He's putting everything in to coming back, but we're not in a hurry, he has to be 100 per cent that's most important."
Although Rodriguez, who made his Three Lions debut against Chile last season, has been on the sidelines for a year, rumours are circulating that he may be about to depart the south coast this summer.
But his Saints boss believes he will still be at St. Mary’s next season. "I expect we don't sell the player because the player didn't play in my first season as the manager.
"He's a good guy, a positive one, maybe he will be the best transfer for us next season."
