BRIAN Jensen celebrated a first Championship away clean sheet in over 18 months, then backed young striker Jay Rodriguez to make a big impression at the opposite end this season.

The Burnley-born youth product had a hatful of chances at Selhurst Park on Saturday and could have gone home with the matchball had it not been for the woodwork and Crystal Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni.

But Jensen is confident the 21-year-old will fulfil his potential as the Clarets bid to climb back to the Premier League this term.

“He works hard every single day and we see how he can perform day in day out,” said the Danish goalkeeper.

“Julian’s a quality goalkeeper, he kept them in the game.

"I think him and Jay had a little spell against each other for about 20 minutes, but that’s what he’s there for.

“Jay will score goals. He is different class.”

Of Rodriguez, who came on as a first-half replacement for the injured Ross Wallace, manager Brian Laws added: “That’s why I’ve been pretty hesitant to bring any other strikers into the football club, because we’ve said all pre-season we’re keeping a real good eye on Jay.

“He’s come back in real good form and he’s taken a lot of things on board.

"He looks a different player.

“Even when he came on against Preston he could have had three.”