WE CAN PARTY WITHOUT VARDY

Rodgers: We’re not a one-man team... Maddison, Barnes & Co making up for Jamie’s absence

BRENDAN RODGERS has praised the secret stormtroopers who have shot Leicester into title contention.

The Foxes boss is missing Jamie Vardy for tonight’s clash at Everton, but says his talismanic goalscorer is not the only threat.

Rodgers makes no bones about his admiration for the legendary Vardy, who fired Leicester to a shock title win five years ago and was last season’s Golden

Boot winner.

Goals are Vardy’s currency, but

Rodgers says those thinking

Leicester pose no threat without the 34-year-old have not done their homework.

Rodgers said: “It’s lazy to say, ‘Jamie Vardy is out, so Leicester won’t score’. Those who dig deeper would see that’s not the case. We’ve scored 56 so far this season and over 40 of them have come from other players.

“I think that probably tells you there are goals elsewhere in this side and that’s taking nothing away from Jamie.

“We all know what Jamie gives the team, but you have to respect the rest of the squad.”

Vardy may be out for a couple of weeks after taking the opportunity to have a minor repair on a long-standing hernia problem.

Rodgers said: “I loved watching him before I came to this club and, now I’m here, I love watching him even more.

“When you have a player of Jamie’s quality and importance, then, naturally, it’s a big miss, but we can’t be reliant on one player.” In the seven games since Vardy’s last goal in the 2-0 win over Tottenham, Leicester have won five and drawn two.

Rodgers said: “James Maddison has nine goals and five assists, better than last season. Harvey Barnes (left) is into double figures. “It’s not right to focus only on Jamie. We’ll be happy when he’s back, but, hopefully, we can keep scoring while he’s out.

“If you look at the Premier League table, you see Liverpool with 37 scored, Man United 36 and then us there on 35. You can’t do that with one player.”

Ayoze Perez looks favourite to be given the central striking role.

Rodgers said: “He’s continually getting better and better. He’s different to Jamie, but he’s always looking to score goals.”

ON THE ATTACK Jamie Vardy (left) and James Maddison have helped fire the Foxes into the top four