Vardy: I’m 30 going on just 21

JAMIE VARDY admits he faces a “massive” battle to win a place in England’s World Cup squad – but says time is on his side.

Vardy, who turns 31 in January, says his unusual path through non-league football to the top to become a title-winner with Leicester means he has more miles left on the clock than some of his team-mates.

Vardy (above) said: “It’s probably a good job I still feel 21. If I felt my age, I’d be a bit more tired.

“I know first and foremost I’ve got to be doing well for my club to be in with a chance of being selected.”

Vardy, who was 28 when he made his international debut, has just 17 caps.

To put that into perspective, by the time Alan Shearer was the age Vardy is now, he had already played his last England match.

Vardy has played only 20 minutes for England this season, as a substitute in Malta in September. He missed last month’s final two World Cup qualifiers through injury. But he’s looking ahead to Russia,

“I’ve got to put in all my effort for Leicester and hopefully my performances will earn me that place,” he said.

But first up it’s Germany at Wembley tomorrow, with World Cup hero Mario Goetze set to be handed the chance to reignite his international career.

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder has been hampered by illness and injury since scoring the extra-time winner in the 2014 final against Argentina but is ready for his first start for his country in a year.