FRANK Sinclair believes former Burnley team-mate Brian Jensen can fend off competition for his place and continue as the Clarets’ undisputed number one for years to come.

Brian Laws handed Jensen a new two-year deal at Turf Moor last week, but the Clarets boss has also indicated that he is keen to bring in another goalkeeper this summer.

Laws wants to create a real battle for the number one spot, with Diego Penny used only as back-up during the past two campaigns and Nicky Weaver also restricted to the role of unused substitute before he was released at the end of the season.

Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessey is among those to have been linked, but Sinclair is certain that Jensen can see off all challenges for his jersey - even though the Dane turns 35 tomorrow.

“I’m sure he can,” said the former Clarets defender, who played alongside Jensen between 2004 and 2007.

“He’s a big presence and a big lad.

“I thought he had a good season in the Premier League. He was very overworked but he made a lot of good saves.

“He’s a big character in the dressing room. He hates losing and he’s always pushing everyone to improve.

“You see a lot of goalkeepers like David James carry on into their 40s and I think Brian can be the same.”

Sinclair, now with Blue Square Premier side Wrexham, has happy memories of his time at Turf Moor and was sad to see the Clarets relegated from the top flight.

The 38-year-old suffered the same fate with Leicester City in 2002 but helped them bounce back at the first attempt and believes Burnley can do the same.

The Clarets will be in the unusual position of being one of the favourites rather than an underdog next season but Sinclair thinks that will make little difference to how they fare.

More important, he knows from his own experience, will be making a good start to prevent the squad suffering any hangover from the disappointment of relegation. Leicester won six of their first seven games after dropping out of the Premier League.

“I don’t think as a player you’re really thinking about being favourites,” said Sinclair.

“You’re not really thinking about promotion and the manager will keep their feet on the ground.

“You’re just thinking about having a good start and getting some momentum going.

“When you go into the first game you’re wondering how good you’re going to be compared to everyone else.

“It is important to have a good start because it gets rid of all the negativity straight away, and then you can crack on.

“Burnley have enjoyed being in the Premier League, and it will have a massive effect on the financial side and give them a chance to challenge for promotion again now.

“I’d expect them to be challenging for automatic promotion.”