Brian Jensen has tipped friend and rival Lee Grant to be a star of the future at Turf Moor - but isn't ready to step aside to let him make his mark yet.
Despite the arrival of Grant from Sheffield Wednesday, Jensen has again started the season as the Clarets' number-one after signing a new two-year deal in the summer.
The long-serving keeper has responded with two clean sheets in his first three Championship games.
And with Grant to provide competition between the posts, the 'Beast' believes the Clarets' goalkeeping fortunes are in safe hands.
"Granty coming in is a great asset for the club. He will have a great future here because he's a really good goalkeeper.
"I am pleased for him to be around. He's a great lad who works hard, similar to me. He has a great attitude and I have always said if you work hard it will pay off in the end and the same will happen for him."
Jensen and Grant, who made his Clarets' debut in the mid-week Carling Cup win over Morecambe, were team-mates during Grant's brief loan spell at Turf Moor from Derby County in the 2005/06 season.
The pair have stayed in touch ever since, making it a friendly rivalry for the number-one jersey.
Safe hands
Jensen added:"It's easier to compete against somebody you don't know but we have been talking to each other ever since his last spell at the club and he's a good friend of mine.
"We have a great friendship off the pitch but there is no friendliness on the pitch. It's a lot harder competing against your pal but we both know there is only one space, and we are both working really hard to get that place."
Jensen is quick to share the praise for the Clarets' solid start with his defensive colleagues, who have helped Brian Laws' men to an unbeaten start to the campaign.
The competition across the back four is intense and Jensen believes the fight for shirts will be key to maintaining the early-season momentum as Burnley head for another stern test at Swansea City on Saturday.
"We have lost a couple of decent players over the summer but we have brought some new ones in and I think we have a really good strong squad," Jensen said.
"There is competition now all over, which is what you need.
"We have some top players who won't even make the bench some games, but that is what we need if we want to bounce back.
Lee Grant is waiting for his chance
"We want to bounce back after what happened last year but we know it's going to be tough.
"We are pleased with the start we have made, but there is a long way to go yet.
"It's not easy to come down to the Championship. People think it will be a walkover, but it's not. It's really hard work.
"But it's a good start and but we are all positive and confident about it and hopefully we will keep the run going."
