Rodgers allays fears over Vardy’s injury
LEICESTER: Brendan Rodgers hopes Jamie Vardy will not be sidelined for long after Leicester’s leading scorer limped off during Wednesday’s 4-1 win against West Ham.
Vardy was hurt while chasing a pass in the first half at the King Power Stadium.
He was treated for several minutes before trying to resume playing, a move which lasted just seconds before he again fell to the turf clutching his leg.
This time the 33-year-old was forced to come off as Kelechi Iheanacho replaced him in a game where Leicester were leading 2-0 at half-time.
Vardy is the Premier League’s top scorer with 17 goals this term and would be huge miss if he is out for an extended period.
But, speaking after the match, Rodgers said: “It is not his hamstring which is good. Hopefully over the next couple of days it will ease off and he will be fit.
“Jamie is a real talisman for the team but if we are going to have success it is about the team.
“He hasn’t played for us in a number of games and the team has still played well but of course we want him fit and well. He is such a good player and we hope it is not too serious.”
Rodgers’ side are third in the Premier League as they bid to qualify for next season’s Champions League via a top-four finish.
Meanwhile Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho admitted it hurt to leave out keeper Paulo Gazzaniga for returning Hugo Lloris for Wednesday’s Premier League win against Norwich City.
France World Cup winner Lloris has been out since dislocating his elbow during a defeat by Brighton and Hove Albion in early October with stand-in Gazzaniga proving a capable deputy in the intervening period.
Argentine Gazzaniga even saved a penalty during Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Watford, yet found himself back on the bench three days later.