Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers believes his side proved they are not a one-man band after watching a crushing 4-1 victory over West Ham at the King Power Stadium.
The Foxes lost star striker Jamie Vardy to injury on the stroke of half-time at a point when they only had a one-goal lead, courtesy of Harvey Barnes’
Vardy, the current top scorer in the Premier League with 17 goals, was substituted before half-time in Wednesday’s 4-1 win over West Ham.
He immediately clutched the back of his left leg after clearing the ball and received treatment on the pitch.
“Hopefully over the next couple of days it will ease off,” Rodgers said.
Rodgers added: “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.”
Vardy has contributed to 34% of Leicester’s league goals this season and has started all but two of their 24 matches.
The Foxes striker is one of three English players in the Premier League’s top six goalscorers who are currently injured. And of England’s top five scorers, only Southampton’s Danny Ings remains fit.
Vardy effectively retired from international duty in August 2018 to focus on club football with Leicester but England manager Gareth Southgate said in November he was prepared to consider recalling him to the squad leading up to Euro 2020.
Recent injuries to Tottenham’s Harry Kane, Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham have led to speculation over an England return for 32-year-old Vardy.
With most of England’s top goalscorers out injured, there have been plenty of shouts for Ings to return after making his only appearance in a European qualifier against Lithuania back in 2015.
Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti has backed Dominic Calvert-Lewin, while 18-year-old Manchester United star Mason Greenwood has been described as a “natural finisher.”
Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling has played in the central role for club and country and currently has 11 league goals, while Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho was the first player across Europe’s top five leagues to reach 10 goals and 10 assists this season.
