SMILEY OLD FOX
Vardy still going strong and loving it at 37
JAMIE VARDY has no plans to hang up his boots just yet.
The Leicester folk hero turned 37 last month and for most players, it is a sign that the sands of time are running out.
That may be the case, but Vardy says he will keep playing as long as he can – and after this cameo display, coming off the bench, few would dispute that.
The Premier League title winner is in the final year of his Leicester contract.
But he showed he has lost little of his ability in front of goal as he rounded off a dominant Foxes display with two goals to reach double figures for the campaign.
And he has done that despite missing two months of the season through injury.
Hammering a poor Stoke side has put Leicester 12 points clear of third spot – and a return to the Premier League looks certain.
Patson Daka (inset) scored twice with Kasey Mcateer’s deflected goal adding to the rout before Vardy (below) had the final word.
Whether Vardy will be part of the Foxes’ top-flight return is uncertain – but the hunger is still there.
He said: “Like everyone, you want to be playing as much as you can. But if you’re on the bench and coming on, you have to make sure you make an impact. Thirty-seven is just a number. You’re as young as you feel.
“I look after myself, keep myself fit, so I’ll keep going as long as possible.”
The former England ace says he is doing all he can to maintain his fitness levels – and that includes when he is away from the training ground.
He added: “If you look at the world and how technology has moved forward, there’s different things you can do for recovery now.
“I’ve been lucky enough to put that into my house, so any recovery I can get it done at home when we’re not at the training ground.
“Football’s a demanding game, it has to be like that, and you just make sure you recover right and get ready for the next game. The manager’s really delighted with the result.
“Performance-wise, it was top-notch. We could have had a few more.”
Stoke fans began walking out after Leicester’s fourth goal, with only a handful left at the final whistle as the Potters finished the day four points above the relegation zone.
Manager Steven Schumacher said: “We have to accept we weren’t good enough and understand that we have got two huge games coming up where we need to do something about it.”