Deadly Danny out to fill the Vardy vacuum for Lions

DANNY WELBECK is ready to fill the void left by Jamie Vardy’s shock international retirement.

England boss Gareth Southgate is considering handing the Arsenal man a rare start in tomorrow night’s friendly against Switzerland at Leicester’s King Power Stadium.

And Welbeck insists he’ll be firing on all cylinders despite his lack of game-time for the Gunners this season.

The striker has been limited to just 21 minutes of Premier League action and could struggle to play regularly under Unai Emery.

Bounce

But he has rarely let his country down.

He scored in the World Cup warm-up win over Costa Rica at Elland Road and, after coming off the bench again on Saturday night, he was desperately unlucky to have an injury-time equaliser chalked off which would have earned a draw against Spain.

Southgate will ring the changes tomorrow as England bid to bounce back from their third successive defeat.

The Swiss game would have presented the perfect opportunity for Vardy to impress in front of his adoring Foxes fans.

But his absence leaves Welbeck next in the queue and he’s keen to seize his chance.

“There were chances before Jamie retired and there’s opportunities now,” said the 27-year-old, the only outfield player who did not start a World Cup game.

“With England, you’ve always got to give it your best shot, do what you can in club football and then, when the opportunity is there, I’m going to take it.”

Welbeck is adamant a lack of regular action for Arsenal will not prove a handicap.

He added: “Coming back from the World Cup, I started pre-season a bit later than others but a lot of people have been through that.

“I’ve trained hard. I’m just going to give it my all and try to stake a place.”

Few of Vardy’s Three Lions’ team-mates had any idea he was thinking about international retirement.

“It was a bit of a surprise,” said Jordan Henderson.

“I know Vards and he’s always fit and does not get many injuries. Obviously you have got to respect his decision.

“He spoke with the manager and felt that was the best thing for his career.

“We have got plenty of other good strikers. Welbs came on and he’s been doing fantastically well in training.

“Hopefully it gives them an opportunity now.”

Surprised

Welbeck was convinced he’d added to his 16 England goals in the 97th minute when keeper David De Gea dropped the ball and he scored from a tight angle.

And he claims some of Spain’s players were just as surprised as the hosts when it was ruled out.

“I think if you asked Marcos Alonso, he’d say it was alright,” said the forward.

“I didn’t intentionally touch the goalkeeper.

“He’s kind of dropped the ball on my head, the ball’s landed for me and I’ve put it in the back of the net.

“We were getting a few more opportunities towards the end of the game and, unluckily, we didn’t put them away.

“It would have been nice to crown the night like that.

“But ultimately the result’s the result and we’ve got to try to improve on that.”