BURNLEY manager Eddie Howe believes it would be a credit to Jay Rodriguez’s development if the striker made the cut for the England Under 21 squad for next month’s European Championships.

The Burnley-born striker was named in the provisional 40-man line-up which was due to be whittled down to 23 on Thursday.

But the FA are now not due to make the announcement until Monday, prolonging the 21-year-old’s wait to see if he can build on his only cap.

Rodriguez earned his first call-up for a friendly against Italy in Empoli in February and impressed after coming on as a second-half substitute.

He was disappointed not to figure in subsequent friendlies away to Denmark and against Iceland, at Deepdale, in March.

But he remained under England U21s manager Stuart Pearce’s watch, and could be rubbing shoulders with the likes of Liverpool striker Andy Carroll, Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell and Manchester City defender Micah Richards in Denmark after ending the season as Burnley’s joint top goalscorer with Chris Eagles, after grabbing his 15th in the final game of the season at home to Cardiff.

“He sets the mark really, not just with his ability but his attitude,” said Clarets boss Howe.

“I’m pleased for Jay because he’s such a good lad and areas to improve as everybody has.

“But he’s the type of lad that will do that work and come back an even better player for next season.”

And Howe knows spending a chunk of his summer with the Under 21s would prove invaluable for Rodriguez, and a terrific achievement.

“It would be when you consider the names he’s competing against,” said the Burnley boss.

“It’s a very strong squad looking at it. There are some really good players.

“English football’s had a little bit of criticism in terms of production of players, but you look at that squad and think it’s very strong.

“Full credit to him for getting into the 40 and hopefully he can make the cut.”

Former Burnley loanees Jack Cork, who last week returned to Chelsea to finish the season at Stamford Bridge, and Aston Villa striker Nathan Delfouneso are also hoping to make the shortlist from the provisional 40-man squad which is as follows: GOALKEEPERS: Frank Fielding (Derby County), Scott Loach (Watford), Jason Steele (Middlesbrough), Alex McCarthy (Reading).

DEFENDERS: Joe Bennett (Middlesbrough), Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal) , Phil Jones (Blackburn Rovers), Michael Mancienne (Chelsea), Ben Mee (Man City), Kyle Naughton (Tottenham), Micah Richards (Man City), Chris Smalling (Man Utd), James Tomkins (West Ham), Kieran Trippier (Man City), Kyle Walker (Tottenham).

MIDFIELDERS: Marc Albrighton (Aston Villa), Jack Cork (Chelsea), Tom Cleverley (Wigan), Jay Spearing (Liverpool), Adam Hammill (Wolves), Jordan Henderson (Sunderland), Jonathan Howson (Leeds United), Adam Lallana (Southampton), Henri Lansbury (Arsenal), Josh McEachran (Chelsea), Fabrice Muamba (Bolton Wanderers), Jack Rodwell (Everton), Danny Rose (Tottenham), Scott Sinclair (Swansea City), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal).

STRIKERS: Andy Carroll (Liverpool), Nathan Delfouneso (Aston Villa), Gary Hooper (Celtic), Jay Rodriguez (Burnley), Freddie Sears (West Ham), Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea), James Vaughan (Everton), Danny Welbeck (Man Utd), Connor Wickham (Ipswich).