Bren insists goals will come for shot-shy Jamie

Amex Stadium, 8pm

BRENDAN RODGERS says Jamie Vardy’s cobra-like instincts will soon have him back among the goals.

The Leicester boss reckons even the Premier League’s mostprized defenders know they can’t take their eyes off him for one second.

Former England striker Vardy is finding goals hard to come by with just one in his last 13 games.

But he goes in against Brighton tonight with the full backing of Rodgers, who says the 34-year-old is “irreplaceable.”

Even perpetual goalscorer Vardy can’t go on for ever but his boss insists he still has plenty in the tank with 14 goals to his name this season.

Rodgers believes his own eyes and what he sees on the training ground and knows he’s the envy of many a manager who covet the predatory striker

Rodgers said: “He’s still such a threat even when he’s not ‘in’ the game. He’s always there because with him it only takes just one moment.

“Defenders are always aware of him and his qualities. While Jamie is on the pitch, opponents have to be on alert.

“It’s just a case of keeping his confidence up. He still has a massive contribution to make. The goals will come.”

Rodgers loves the Vardy back story – the free-scoring nonleague striker they took a gamble on by paying £1million that he’s paid back a hundred-fold.

The wiry Golden Boot winner fired Leicester to the unthinkable Premier League title win of 2016 and forced his way into the England team in the process.

Rodgers said: “For me, he’s quite simply irreplaceable. You can’t go out and find another one like him, because there isn’t one.

“His story is so unique in what he’s done and what he gives to this club. Can you find a replica of that type of player? He’s unique – and I’m glad it’s that way.”

Leicester have beaten Brighton twice already this season and the Seagulls will come into the game still stinging from the manner of their controversial defeat to West Brom last weekend.

They missed two penalties for a start but the main talking point was the injustice of having a quickly-taken free-kick ruled out despite the referee having signalled to take it.

Rodgers added: “You have to put those kind of disappointments behind you.

“Forget the free kick, they missed two pens and so they will know exactly how they could have won it.”