EX-CLARET Martin Dobson believes Jay Rodriguez is in for an “interesting summer” after being named among the Championship’s top two strikers by his peers.

The Burnley-born striker was already expected to be hot property during the transfer window after scoring 21 goals this season. But the 22-year-old’s stock has risen after being named in the Professional Footballers’ Association’s Championship team of the year.

The vote, by his peers, effectively puts him on a par with league top scorer Rickie Lambert, who is pushing for automatic promotion with Southampton.

And Dobson believes it is only a matter of time before Rodriguez is plying his trade in the Premier League.

“In terms of ability, attitude and being a homegrown player he ticks all the boxes,” said the former Burnley midfielder, who was the club’s representative in the old Division Three PFA team in 1982, when the Clarets were crowned champions.

“I look at Jay and think he has every chance of being very successful in the top division.

“It’s going to be an interesting summer for him.

“He is the ace in the pack, the jewel in the crown. The supporters won’t want him to go and neither will the manager, but if the opportunity to play in the top division presents itself now, can you deny the lad the chance?

“You don’t want to look too far ahead, but the vultures will be out there.

“His name is out there, and he has impressed everyone.”

Of the PFA accolade, Dobson believes Rodriguez’s inclusion in the team takes on even more significance given Burnley’s mid-table position in the league.

“His performances have been acknowledged by the people he plays against week in, week out, up and down the country.

“When you think about the high profile teams who have been up there all season and see Jay in that 11, what a fantastic achievement that is.

“It shows how highly respected that is,” said the 64-year-old.

“He is head and shoulders above everyone else in the division.

“He has the movement, the pace, the goalscoring ability. He has given a lot of defenders a hard time this season.

“After coming off the bench to score the winner against Preston last season Jay has hardly ever been out of the team, and he has really kicked on this year.

“His touch has come on fantastically well and he has matured into a very good player - even though he is still only very young at 22.”

Dobson, Burnley’s former director of youth development, credits ex-youth coach Vince Overson with talent spotting Rodriguez 11 years ago, but believes the secret to the striker’s success is his down to earth nature.

“When Jay got his scholarship, he didn’t expect it. It was the same when he got his professional contract. He has never thought he was guaranteed anything in football. He has worked extremely hard every single day,” Dobson explained.

“He’s a great guy to work with because he will listen and learn and try to put into operation what you tell him.

“To be successful you need a good attitude just as much as you need ability. Also you need in place coaches and managers who believe in you and give you the opportunity. Jay has been fortunate in that respect. However, he had three managers in a 12-month period and one manager may have a different opinion to another, but he has been well thought of by all of them.”

Of Overson’s early involvement in Rodriguez’s career, Dobson added: “Vince was very instrumental in bringing Jay to the club at 11 years of age.

“He did a wonderful job as the centre of excellence manager and identified Jay as someone who he felt would go on and achieve things and get a professional contract.”