WHEN I spoke to Burnley’s former number nine about its latest incumbent last week there were mixed feelings.

Ade Akinbiyi was delighted that Jay Rodriguez had remained a Claret when the final whistle blew on the latest transfer deadline. But he was frustrated that while England Under 21s were gearing up for a Euro 2013 qualifier with Azerbaijan, the Burnley-born striker hadn’t been more involved in the last tournament.

Now 22, Rodriguez no longer qualifies for the next main event for Stuart Pearce’s side.

He was in with a shout of featuring in the Euro 2011 competition in Denmark in the summer, after being named in the initial 40-man squad, but didn’t make the cut in the end.

Rodriguez himself hadn’t held out too much hope, but Akinbiyi did, believing that his inclusion would have made the Three Lions youngsters all the richer for it.

In February, just before Rodriguez earned his one and only international cap after coming off the bench in a friendly in Italy, his former Turf Moor team-mate backed him to to all the way.

“He can play for England. I believe that 100 per cent,” he said.

Seven months down the line and Akinbiyi’s view is unwavering.

“One day he will play for England at senior level. Definitely.”

But it’s to be hoped Fabio Capello’s successor is a bit more open minded than the Italian if he is to achieve that with Burnley in the Championship.

For if you play outside of the top 10 in the Premier League you don’t exist as far as Capello is concerned.

You only need to read his comments on Phil Jones to see that.

“The talent is incredible – and when you find the talent you need to use it,” said Capello of the young defender.

“We need to wait because so far he has played one Premier League game and some minutes at Wembley.

“But potentially he is a fantastic player. He needs to play more games with Manchester United.”

Burnley fans might not thank me for referring to a former Blackburn Rovers player, but like Rodriguez he is a local lad doing good, and they will be aware that he has much more top flight experience than Capello can recall.