Saturday’s meeting at Bramall Lane will be the first since the 2010/11 Championship campaign when Rodriguez netted home and away against the Blades in his first spell as a Burnley player.

United’s promotion to the top-flight for the first time since 2006/07 has put the fixture back on the list and Rodriguez is expecting a proper cross-border battle with the Yorkshiremen.

“They have done brilliantly. I played against them twice in the Championship last year and you could see what a good side they were,” said the striker, who helped West Bromwich Albion reach the play-offs before returning to Turf Moor in the summer.

Rodriguez cele .jpg

“They have some good players and it’s going to be really tough, especially at Bramall Lane.

“The atmosphere is going to be up there and these are games you want to be part of.

“We’ve got two teams who are going to work extremely hard and stick to their game plan and it’s going to be a tough one.

“I think it’s going to be fine margins. It’s something we are looking forward to and I’m sure Sheffield United are looking forward to.”

An unbeaten three-match run has lifted United up to eighth place in the table – a point ahead of the Clarets.

Jay Rodriguez third goal.jpg

Jay Rodriguez scored in a 3-3 draw against a Sheffield United side including Matt Lowton at Bramall Lane in October, 2010

Burnley have lost their last two games but a late double blast from Rodriguez and Dwight McNeil against Chelsea last weekend has given Sean Dyche’s men some forward momentum.

And Rodriguez – who rates his stunning strike against the Blues as the best of his career – is planning to kick on from there.

He added: “You’ve always got to aim as high as possible but it’s early in the season and we’ve got to focus on what we’re doing at the moment, which is putting the performances in.

“The main thing is getting points and hopefully you can create something good.

“It’s the same for me – keep taking each game as it comes, affect the game as much as I can, score goals and help the team and hopefully it carries on.”

POS	Team	PL	PTS
15	FOR	5	5
16	BUR	5	4
17	BRE	5	4

POS	Team	PL	PTS
15	FOR	5	5
16	BUR	5	4
17	BRE	5	4

Rodriguez Ready For Roses Rivalry

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