Jay is the pride of Burnley!
The 24-year-old was named on Thursday in Roy Hodgson’s squad for the Wembley friendlies against Chile on Friday and Germany on Tuesday.
And he is set to join an elite band of players from the area who have gone on to claim full England honours, including Cliviger’s Jerry Dawson (twop caps in 1921 and 1922), Hapton’s Brian Miller (one cap in 1961) and Micky Phelan of Nelson (one cap in 1989).
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Hide AdBurnley-born Rodriguez, who became the Clarets’ record sale when joining Premier League Southampton for £7m in the summer of 2012, beamed: ‘Words can’t describe how I feel.
“I am still obviously shocked. It is a bit surreal. It is a dream come true really and I just can’t wait.
“I came in on Thursday and didn’t really think anything of it. I was just told and couldn’t believe it.
“I couldn’t stop smiling. It’s class. Now I just can’t wait to get among the lads and be a part of it.”
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Hide AdIt represents a real chance for Rodriguez, with only these two friendlies, and one in March against Denmark, before Hodgson names his 23-man World Cup squad for Brazil. no later than June 2nd.
If the former Barden High School pupil, who came through the youth ranks at Turf Moor after being spotted for Barrowford Celtic, does make his senior bow - after one cap for the Under 21s in 2011 - Burnley would not benefit financially, with no international appearances clause in his contract, but, with his selection expected to raise his profile, he was linked with moves to Liverpool and Arsenal at the weekend, and the club would stand to gain 15% of any profit Southampton make on him.
Lee Dixon was the last former Burnley youth product to be capped, when he made his debut as an Arsenal player in 1990, while the last player capped by England while still a Burnley player was Martin Dobson in 1974.