REAL MARC OF CLASS
<M<IP B@:B# <M<IP >F8C# <M<IP >8D<# Albrighton can star for England
LEICESTER (4-2-3-1): Schmeichel 7, 7; Simpson 7, Morgan 8, Maguire 8, Chilwell 8; Iborra 7, Ndidi 7; Mahrez 88); ALBRIGHTON 8, Gray 8 (Okazaki Hamer, Vardy 8. Subs: Iheanacho, King, Dragovic, Ulloa, Fuchs. UP NEXT: Newcastle (a), Premier League, Saturday. BURNLEY (4-2-3-1): Pope 7; Bardsley 6, Tarkowski 7, Mee 6, Cork 6; Ward 7; Defour 7 (Barnes 66, 7), Brady 6 Gudmundsson 7, HENDRICK 8, 6). (Arfield 31, 6); Wood 7 (Vokes 74, Subs: Taylor, Westwood, Lindegaard, Long. League, UP NEXT: Watford (h), Premier Saturday. Referee: Paul Tierney 7. YOUR TURN: Which striker scored twice for Leicester when they beat Burnley 3-0 at home last season?
DEMARAI GRAY thinks Leicester team-mate Marc Albrighton is England class.
Gray, 21, was the Foxes’ match-winner after bagging the seventh-minute goal to beat Burnley.
But he was quick to recognise the contribution of Albrighton, 28, who turned in a superb display as part of a fluid attacking trio with Gray and Riyad Mahrez behind Jamie Vardy.
He believes the former Aston Villa winger can join Leicester’s current Three Lions, Harry Maguire and Vardy, and gatecrash Gareth Southgate’s squad for Russia next summer.
“Marc was different class,” he said. “You know what you’re going to get from him every week.
“He was good on the ball, creative and he did us proud. He didn’t stop running. That’s what he brings and he did very well.”
Asked if Albrighton was good enough to play for England, Under-21 star Gray, who has been touted for a full call-up himself, said: “Yes. He’s a reliable player and that’s important.
“You know what you’re going to get from him. He got the assist last week against Tottenham and that set us off.
“We’ve seen if you’re playing regular football at a good consistent level, anyone can get called up, no matter what club you’re at.”
Gray hurt his knee colliding with the post after keeper Nick Pope spilled Mahrez’s cross into his path.
He added: “I put my body on the line. I knew I was going to go flying into the post but you take that any day to score.”
The interplay between Gray, bleached blonde Mahrez, Albrighton and Vardy was a joy to watch at times as Leicester made it one defeat in six since Claude Puel took charge.
The French coach believes Gray, who also hit the post, has got the lot. He said: “He is the complete player. He can play on the right, on the left, like a striker.”
Burnley created chances in the first half but James Tarkowski, Ben Mee and Chris Wood all sent headers wide from corners before Leicester seized control.
The Clarets lost Robbie Brady after half an hour to knee ligament damage.
“If it is bad, he would be a massive loss because he’s been outstanding recently,” said leftback Stephen Ward.
Burnley are seventh but Ward, 32, insists survival is still the priority before they can consider a challenge for Europe.
“It’s great to see us where we are but let’s get to 40 points, then we’ll set ourselves a new goal,” said the Irishman.