Burnley boy Jay is on home Turf again

WEST BROM’S summer signing Jay Rodriguez might have a Spanish name but today he is back home – a Burnley boy born and bred.

His grandparents, who hail from La Coruna in Spain, settled in the northern town to work as chefs.

“All my mates and family are Burnley fans. I was at the centre of excellence there,” said Rodriguez, above.

“When I was about 12 years old, I was a ball boy as well, so I used to get free tickets. I’d go up the Turf at weekends. It’s a local thing where everybody gets behind the team. They were great days.

“As a kid, you’re just there to enjoy football and playing out there was a distant dream.

“I hope to get a good reception. I think I’ve got a good relationship with the fans.” But he is determined to be a big hit for the Baggies and hopefully rekindle his dream of playing for England again.

Rodriguez made his debut against Chile and looked certain to go to the 2014 World Cup on the back of 17 goals for Southampton when injury struck.

One man who will look to stop him today is James Tarkowski, who is champing at the bit to succeed at Burnley and has a picture of Michael Keane’s broken tooth to drive him on. Tarkowski has been given the chance to become a regular in the centre of defence following the departure of Keane to Everton.

He made a great start as Burnley beat Chelsea – then received a text message from Keane.

Keane did so despite losing part of a tooth in an aerial collision against Stoke.

“I think he lost half his tooth, so he sent me a picture of that and a message congratulating us,” said Tarkowski.