THE youngster who got Burnley’s Carling Cup adventure up and running is desperate for the chance to play in next Tuesday’s quarter final against Arsenal.

The Clarets defeated Chelsea on penalties in the last 16 but they may not even have been at Stamford Bridge had it not been for Jay Rodriguez, whose goal knocked out Fulham in the previous round.

It was the 19-year-old’s first goal for Burnley – on only his second appearance for the club – but he has gone on to figure seven times as a substitute in the Championship since then.

The experienced Ade Akinbiyi, who found the net at Chelsea, has forced his way ahead of Rodriguez in the pecking order in recent weeks but the teenager admits he would love the chance to shine when Champions League contenders Arsenal come to Turf Moor.

“When I saw the draw it was brilliant to see a team like that against us,” he said.

“It should be good again, like it was at Chelsea.

“It would be brilliant to play in that game.

“But to see them play and to watch them will be just as good. I can learn a lot from them just by watching.”

Rodriguez was an unused substitute at Stamford Bridge but, as a lifelong Burnley fan, still enjoyed every minute of the night.

He admits he has watched the DVD of his match-winning display against Fulham a few times but has modestly played down his role in what is becoming a historic cup run.

Asked about his contribution against Fulham, he said: “You still think back to it but I’ve just got to look to the next game.

“It was good to be part of it and it’s good to be part of the team. The team deserves everything that they’re getting.

“But I think it was the team that got us to Chelsea through a lot of hard work against Fulham.

“Chelsea was the best feeling ever. It was just a buzz with the fans and how the players worked.”

Rodriguez feels he benefited greatly from a loan spell with Stirling Albion in the Scottish First Division at the end of last season, which brought three goals in 12 games and an appearance against Celtic at Parkhead in the Scottish FA Cup.

And the man currently leading the line for the reserves hopes to continue improving as he makes more first-team appearances for the Clarets.

He said: “The experience has been good – just to get out there and feel the atmosphere, which is totally different.

“I’ve wanted to play for the first team since I started to play for the centre of excellence.

“The experience has been good to see how it is, but I’ll just have to see how it goes and get some experience in the reserves as well.

“I think I’m always trying to improve in training.

“I’ll just keep my head down and keep trying to do that.”