ROY Hodgson will today announce his England squad for the end-of-season friendlies against Republic of Ireland and Brazil.

Will Jay Rodriguez be named for the first time?

If not (a well-placed source was unsure yesterday) then it surely cannot be long before the ex-Claret becomes the first Burnley-born player since Brian Miller in 1961 to wear the Three Lions.

Ade Akinbiyi predicted it more than two years ago, when Rodriguez made what proved to be his only England Under 21 appearance.

There could have been others but it is understood that, with an eye on the play-offs, the mood from within Turf Moor was that he was needed more for his club than his country towards the end of the 2010/11 season and was discouraged from selection for a friendly with Iceland at Deepdale.

Given that Jack Cork, who was on loan with Burnley at the time, left the field at half-time due to heart palpitations – caused by a virus – prompting his return to parent club Chelsea for treatment, then in hindsight it was perhaps a smart move that Rodriguez was not risked.

But Akinbiyi knew there would be more opportunities for the striker, at a senior level too.

“He can go all the way and play for England. I believe that 100 per cent,” said the former Clarets front man at the time.

“The boy’s got bundles of ability and he’s getting bigger and stronger all the time.

“He’s a quiet lad but he gets on with what he has to do, and if his feet do the talking the rest doesn’t matter.

“England are talking about bringing younger players through, so why not?

“But the only way he can do that is to keep putting in the performances on the pitch and doing what he is doing.”

Since then Akinbiyi has mentored him through a big money move to Southampton, where he has made 34 Premier League appearances, scoring six goals – three in a row from mid-March to early April – highlighting the positive impact Argentine Mauricio Pochettino has had on his game since the former Espanyol head coach succeeded Nigel Adkins in January.

There was a smart solo effort against Liverpool – watched by Hodgson from the stands, a slick strike in a home win over Chelsea, and a brave finish in beating Reading.

All of those goals earned vital points in Southampton’s successful fight for survival. They should earn him a first, full England call-up.