Jamie Vardy: Brendan Rodgers hopeful injury "not too serious"

Jamie Vardy down injured — Leicester players surrounded Jamie Vardy and watched on with concern as he received treatment on the pitch

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers hopes striker Jamie Vardy's injury is "not too serious" after confirming it is "not his hamstring".

Vardy, the current top scorer in the Premier League with 17 goals, was substituted before half-time in Wednesday's 4-1 win over West Ham.

He immediately clutched the back of his left leg after clearing the ball and received treatment on the pitch.

"Hopefully over the next couple of days it will ease off," Rodgers said.

Rodgers added: "Jamie is a real talisman for the team but if we are going to have success it is about the team. He hasn't played for us in a number of games and the team has still played well but of course we want him fit and well.

"He is such a good player and we hope it is not too serious."

Vardy has contributed to 34% of Leicester's league goals this season and has started all but two of their 24 matches.

The Foxes striker is one of three English players in the Premier League's top six goalscorers who are currently injured. And of England's top five scorers, only Southampton's Danny Ings remains fit.

Vardy effectively retired from international duty in August 2018 to focus on club football with Leicester but England manager Gareth Southgate said in November he was prepared to consider recalling him to the squad leading up to Euro 2020.

Recent injuries to Tottenham's Harry Kane, Manchester United's Marcus Rashford and Chelsea's Tammy Abraham have led to speculation over an England return for 32-year-old Vardy.

England's top five goalscorers in the Premier League
Jamie Vardy (Leicester)	17
Danny Ings (Southampton)	14
Marcus Rashford (Manchester United)	14
Tammy Abraham (Chelsea)	13
Harry Kane (Tottenham)	11

So who is left for England?

With most of England's top goalscorers out injured, there have been plenty of shouts for Ings to return after making his only appearance in a European qualifier against Lithuania back in 2015.

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti has backed Dominic Calvert-Lewin, while 18-year-old Manchester United star Mason Greenwood has been described as a "natural finisher."

Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling has played in the central role for club and country and currently has 11 league goals, while Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho was the first player across Europe's top five leagues to reach 10 goals and 10 assists this season.

Your suggestions on social media

Chris: As Brexit looms, surely it's time for England to go all continental with a 'false 9'. Alli, Sterling, Maddison/Grealish and Sancho. Gareth 'Tiki-taka' Southgate?

Nick: It's time for Callum Wilson to go on a scoring run to fire AFCB to safety and claim a place in Southgate's squad!

Dan: Calvert-Lewin's chances of a call-up for the Euros are looking pretty good at the moment.

Tushar Vyas: Why not Roooooonnnnnnneeeeeeeeeyyyyyyyy?!

Little Elk: At this rate, Jack Grealish will finally get his England call-up and Gareth will play him up front.

Aaran Daniels: Ings and Deeney for the Euros? You're forgetting Calvert-Lewin.

Charlie: Greenwood and Ings at the Euros at this rate!

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112 comments

Comment posted by User0238554470, at 23:45 22 Jan 2020
"Another England Striker"? Hes retired!
Comment posted by Ivor Keyboard, at 08:15 23 Jan 2020
Apart from being retired and injured, the main problem with Vardy is that England will not play to his strengths.

Leicester play at pace whereas England like to tip tap the ball sideways for so long there is a 10 man defence against them in the penalty area.
Comment posted by SeanyB1, at 23:26 22 Jan 2020
Danny Ings the man in form at the minute.......
Comment posted by Super77, at 07:47 23 Jan 2020
Vardy has retired BBC. Keep up!
Comment posted by Ruby Tuesday, at 00:11 23 Jan 2020
Vardy has no intention of playing for England again and Southgate has no intention of picking him

This summer it will be Ing-land at the Euros with Southampton's finest donning the number 9 shirt.
Comment posted by Dannemon, at 00:09 23 Jan 2020
Forget England, what about my FPL team? :/
Comment posted by This name is awaiting moderation, at 06:04 23 Jan 2020
Vardy is an ex England striker
Comment posted by User0471589893, at 09:16 23 Jan 2020
Vardy retired for England far too early to spend more time with his family and focus on his club. It's a shame but I don't see him coming out or Gareth picking him.

Pochettino and Ole's terrible man-management are the culprits for this. Kane has looked exhausted for years yet never got an adequate rest and you do worry if his career will go the same way as Michael Owen's by the time he hits 30
Comment posted by foreverengland, at 08:17 23 Jan 2020
Heskey?
Comment posted by hackabusi, at 10:11 23 Jan 2020
Danny Ings deserves his chance .. kept himself fit and seen one of the best goal returns of his career this season playing in a struggling Saints side ..

If you Southgate is picking on form as he has stated previously, Ings is first striker on the team-sheet ...
Comment posted by foxinbude, at 09:43 23 Jan 2020
Watched Ings play at Leicester last week and he was head and shoulders the best striker to grace the KP this season (Excluding JV). Cant believe he has not had a regular England place when you look at the mediocre dross which makes the squad nowdays.

Power, pace and special awareness - has to be worth a punt in the light of the sick list.
Comment posted by Pavster, at 09:05 23 Jan 2020
Crouch is going to get a call up. Best goals per game ratio for England. Break out the robot.
Comment posted by vanlargertop, at 06:09 23 Jan 2020
It’s definitely not his hamstring as there were reports that Coleen Rooney was at the back of one of the stands with a large pea shooter. Crocky girl takes no messin.
Comment posted by matt1985, at 11:46 23 Jan 2020
@13. "I wouldn't put Henderson in a Sunday pub team!!!!"

Have you actually watched a Liverpool game recently? Henderson is one of the lynchpins of that side and a hugely influential figure as captain. Personally, he'd be one of the first names on the team sheet if I were in Southgate's shoes.
Comment posted by JonnyQPR, at 12:02 23 Jan 2020
Hasn't Vardy retired from International football. If that's the case can we also have fitness updates on David Nugent, Paul Mariner and Peter Crouch please.
Comment posted by More on this story, at 13:07 23 Jan 2020
Any other retired players not fit for England? How's Bobby Charlton getting on?
Comment posted by airwolf, at 00:15 23 Jan 2020
I fully supported Vardys decision to retire...he hadn,t played U21s so was always only ever going to get mugged about by Southgate.
I think Grrenwood is nailed on myself.
Comment posted by SBandy, at 08:58 23 Jan 2020
@13 Vialli100

Henderson should be the England Captain. He is the only English Captain winning trophies this season it looks like.
Comment posted by IAteAllThePies, at 08:32 23 Jan 2020
A player I have liked watching. Great pace and direct, hope he gets over this injury soon.
Comment posted by Ramon, at 09:54 23 Jan 2020
Walcott is also talent free.