JAY Rodriguez hopes Burnley's work ethic will pay off in the final nine games of the season.

The Clarets get back to action at Manchester City on June 22 sitting in 10th place in the Premier League table.

It is set to be a hectic end to the revised season, Sean Dyche having been preparing his players in line with Covid-19 restrictions at Barnfield.

Known for their excellent fitness levels, Rodriguez believes Burnley will be well placed to take their bid for a place in Europe right to the wire.

"I am sure every team is working really hard to prepare for the next nine or 10 games but if it does benefit us then that would be great for us as a team but I think we will concentrate on ourselves in terms of how hard we train and work in the games," he said.

"The sessions have been as normal as what they have been through the season.

"It is competitive and hard as we have to focus on playing a game in a couple of weeks.

"It is very serious and the measures in place keep us safe and we have been really strict with that.

"It has been competitive and good and I feel like we have carried on from where we left off."

Rodriguez has benefitted from the break having picked up a knee injury in the final match before the season was halted, the 1-1 draw with Tottenham on March 7.

Having scored eight goals since his return to the club last summer, the 30-year-old is in line to start at the Etihad with Ashley Barnes' hernia problem still troubling him and Chris Wood having picked up an Achilles injury.

In terms of competition up front, Rodriguez said: "You can only focus on yourself and make sure you are ready when you’re needed for the team.

"Everyone’s supports each other throughout the team, I’ve always said this about this group of players, the team spirit is unbelievable and everyone works for each other. I think everyone wills each other to push harder and get better results."