BURNLEY manager Eddie Howe has urged Jay Rodriguez to reflect on “a magnificent season” and not dwell on the disappointment of missing out on the latest England Under 21s squad.

The Clarets’ 15-goal joint top scorer was named in Stuart Pearce’s provisional 40-man squad for this summer’s European Under 21 Championships in Denmark but failed to make the shortlist, which was announced yesterday.

However, after being voted the supporters’ and players’ player of the year this season, as well as sharing the golden boot with Chris Eagles and earning his first international cap in a friendly with Italy in February, Howe says the 21-year-old can be proud of what he’s achieved in the last nine months.

“I would imagine Jay would be slightly disappointed to miss out, but looking at the bigger picture he’s had a fantastic season,” he said.

“It would have been a fantastic exper-ience, but he’s had a taste of it in a magnif-icent season.

“If you had said to him at the start of the season what would happen he would have definitely taken that.

“And it’s a motivation for him to keep going and try to experience more. I am sure the disappointment won’t affect him for too long.

“It was a fantastic achievement to make the initial 40-man squad alone with the quality in there.

“England have a huge pool of talent to pick from. Unfortunately he has missed out, but there is no need to be disap-pointed.”

With the opportunity to rest over the summer, Howe has now backed Rodriguez to come back for the new campaign fully refreshed.

“For Burnley perhaps it’s a blessing in disguise because he’s played a lot of football this season,” added the Burnley boss.