‘VARDY IS SIMPLY IRREPLACEABLE’

BRIGHTON V LEICESTER 8PM

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

Former England striker Vardy, below, is finding goals hard to come by just now with just one in his past 13 games.

But he goes in against Brighton tonight with the full backing of Leicester manager Rodgers, who 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 non-League striker they took a gamble on by paying a £1million cheque he has paid back a hundred-fold. The wiry Golden Boot winner fired Leicester to the unthinkable Premier League title win in 2016 and forced his way into the England team.

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 unique in what he’s done and what he gives to this club.” The Seagulls come into the game still stinging from their defeat by West Brom. They missed two penalties but the main talking point was the injustice of having a goal ruled out from a quickly taken Lewis Dunk free-kick despite referee Lee Mason 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 so they will know exactly how they could have won it.”