Source: PA
Carlisle backs Rodriguez for "big year"
Burnley defender Clarke Carlisle is tipping homegrown striker Jay Rodriguez to emerge as a key player at Turf Moor this season.
Rodriguez, 21, heads a group of promising youngsters to progress through the ranks and push onto the fringes of the first-team squad.
The Burnley-born forward impressed during pre-season and Carlisle believes he will make his mark in the coming months.
He told Press Association Sport: "There is a fantastic group of youngsters coming through and it excites us as senior players.
"I think Jay Rodriguez is going to be outstanding this season. It's a big year for him and in the three years I've been here I've seen him progress.
"He's gone from a young lad to a genuine contender to start every week. He's not adolescent anymore and I think he's going to go onto great things."
