Ben Dinnery

Fri 11 February 2022 13:00, UK

Jamie Vardy has a “die-hard” attitude and will be desperate to return to Leicester City starting XI at the earliest possible opportunity.

That is the view of injury expert Ben Dinnery, who runs the Premier Injuries site and has a background in medicine and data analysis.

Vardy, 35, has been missing since Leicester’s 1-0 win over Liverpool on 28 December after suffering a hamstring setback.

As quoted by Leicestershire Live last Friday (4 February), Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers revealed that Vardy is “four” weeks away from a return.

Explosive players with soft tissue problems are often eased back into proceedings following a spell on the sidelines.

But Dinnery argues that Vardy will be eager to be thrown straight into the action when he returns to fitness.

“Vardy will want to be back out there as soon as possible,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.

“He has that die-hard attitude. I’m not sure if he has a pause button. It’s all or nothing with him.

“But one of the shining lights for Leicester has been the form of Patson Daka. He has adapted to the Premier League and is getting goals.

“So there isn’t necessarily that need to throw Vardy back in there. But given what we know of the player, he’ll be very keen to get straight back out there.

“But if you’re getting through those baseline metrics and suffering no sort of reaction, you give yourself every opportunity to come back in.

“When they’re bringing him back in, he is one of those players more likely to start and come off around the 70-minute mark than come on as a substitute.

“But at the moment, Daka’s form means Rodgers can keep Vardy out of the limelight and not take any risks.”

Leicester have won just two of their last 12 matches in all competitions.

Vardy remains their top scorer with 11 goals in 22 outings, while Daka has found the back of the net nine times in 21 appearances.

In other news, Everton and Leicester City set sights on Alex Scott after transfer mission.