CHARLIE Austin has credited his early goalscoring form on his blossoming partnership with Jay Rodriguez.

The Burnley striker shot to the top of the Championship goal charts after his brace ended Derby County’s unblemished start to the season and earned the Clarets their first Championship win.

Austin now has five goals in six games – four in four league games – after emerging from his injury nightmare in red-hot form.

The 22-year-old dislocated his shoulder soon after making his £1.2million move from Swindon Town in January and missed the rest of the season.

But Austin, who up until two years ago was playing non-league football, is starting to live up to the prolific reputation he arrived with seven months ago after taking his career tally to 36 goals in 65 league appearances.

And he believes much of his success is down to his off-field friendship with Rodriguez transferring onto the pitch.

“I’d like to strike up a partnership with Jay. I did well with Billy Paynter at Swindon and got on well with him off the pitch like I do with Jay,” said Austin.

“I think that helps when you come onto the pitch.

“If you’re friends you’ll do his bit of running just as much as he’ll do mine.

“Jay’s a good goalscorer and if he scores goals then I’m happy for him and hopefully he’s happy for me if it’s the other way round.”