BURNLEY striker Jay Rodriguez has his sights set on scoring at least 10 goals this season as he bids to earn a new deal at Turf Moor.

The 21-year-old is in the last season of his current contract but has forced his way into the Clarets’ starting line-up for the last three matches and will hope to start again when Brian Laws’ side make the trip to Millwall this afternoon.

The youth team graduate did not make a single league appearance during Burnley’s Premier League campaign but scored five goals in their promotion season a year earlier and looks set to play a bigger role this term.

Rodriguez has already scored once this season, coming off the bench to grab a late winner against Preston. All six of his goals for Burnley have come as a substitute, with the forward famously scoring against Fulham and Tottenham in Burnley’s Carling Cup run during the 2008/09 campaign.

But he believes it is now time to shake off the ‘supersub’ tag as he attempts to extend his stay at his hometown club.

“I’m pleased to be starting games because that’s what I’ve wanted, to be a regular in the team,” said Rodriguez.

“This season I feel like I’m ready to play. I just want the experience and to get experience I need to play. That’s what I’m doing, so it’s good.

“It was good to be thought of as a supersub but I’d rather be starting games now and playing regularly.

“Of course I’d like to earn a new deal, that’s always what you look forward to because I’ve got one more year left.

“It’s great to play for Burnley. It’s where I come from and I used to watch Burnley, so to go on and play for them is really good.

“But nothing has been mentioned yet. For me I just have to concentrate on my game and that’s what I’m looking at, trying to improve myself and how I’m playing.

“It’s very important for me to be scoring goals. I want to get as many as I can to help the team to do well.

“My overall performances have been good, I just need to get more goals and that’s what I want to add to my game.

“I’d like to get to double figures. I think everyone who plays up front would like to get to that.”

The youngster is naturally an out-and-out striker but has been playing on the left of in a front three alongside target man Chris Iwelumo and wide man Chris Eagles, who has also revealed he wants to get into double figures this term.

But Rodriguez has no qualms about playing in an unfamiliar position and thinks it may help him in the long term.

“It’s different from playing up front but I enjoy it because obviously I’m playing,” he said.

“Between me, Chris Eagles and Chris Iwelumo, we switch between the three of us.

“But it’s just knowledge of a different position and awareness of other players. It improves you as a player, so it’s a great experience and I’m enjoying it.

“We always look to improve in every game we play and it would be nice to get a win down at Millwall, but it will be tough.

“We’ve been unlucky not to win away yet. I thought we definitely should have won at Crystal Palace.

“We’re going to go down there and be positive like we always are, and hopefully the win will come.”