Peterborough rookie: I’ll get stuck into my mentor Jamie

JAMIE VARDY has been chuckling at the threat of a rough welcome to Peterborough from the former non-League defender he helped turn professional. Alex Penny is the graduate of Vardy’s V9 Academy who will line up against the Leicester striker at London Road today, warning his famous friend not to expect any civility in return. But Vardy revealed that the Leicester manager Claude Puel has already got rough first. ‘I had to laugh on Tuesday,’ Vardy said. ‘The gaffer was joining in with training and the ball was between me and him, and he launched himself into a tackle. There was no concern whatsoever! ‘I made sure the next one we were shoulder to shoulder and I tried to give him a little nudge, “Get off the ball.” That’s just how he is. He still has his playing days (with Monaco) in his head. He has got plenty of ability. ‘It is enjoyable. Believe me, he gets really upset if he is on the losing team. That is football, you train as you want to play. I just don’t think the gaffer has realised yet he’s not got a chance to play himself on Saturdays.’ Listening to the rare insight on a manager who can come across as more than a little reserved is Penny, the 20-year-old who used to wait on tables in a Birmingham restaurant before applying for Vardy’s course last summer and impressing scouts to earn a contract at Peterborough. Not that Vardy will get much by way of thanks. ‘Will he still be talking to me afterwards? It depends on the tackle I put in on him in the first five minutes,’ Penny said. Vardy hopes Penny’s success will inspire more amateur players to try for his programme this summer. More than 2,000 players applied for the inaugural year, 42 were selected to attend the week-long course at Manchester City’s training complex, and five signed for professional clubs. This year’s will run from June 4 to 8 and Vardy is hoping to visit on the final day. If selected for England’s World Cup squad he will need Gareth Southgate’s blessing after the friendly against Costa Rica on Elland Road on June 7. ‘It is going to be a heavy summer with the World Cup so I know the preparations have got to be right,’ he said. ‘I am proud. I was given the opportunity to play League football by Nigel Pearson and am now in a position where I can help other non-League players.’