Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has played down concerns about the injury Jamie Vardy suffered during Sunday's 4-1 win over West Ham United.
The forward was removed shortly before half-time, with his side a goal to the good at that point in the match. Vardy was seen clutching his hamstring as he left the field of play, depriving the Foxes of their star striker, who has scored 17 goals in 25 appearances this season.
Questions have immediately been raised over the impact his absence will have on Leicester. Rodgers has moved quickly to diffuse the situation, saying (as quoted by BBC): "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."
Vardy has missed just two of the Foxes' Premier League matches this campaign, with the 32-year-old having a hand in 34% of their goals to date.
He has been a key factor in the success Rodgers' men have enjoyed in 2019/20. The Midlands outfit currently sit third in the table, 14 points clear of fifth-place Manchester United.
With a number of England strikers - including Tammy Abraham, Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane - struggling for fitness at the moment, there has been growing speculation that Vardy could come out of international retirement.
Rodgers' comments suggest he won't be out of action for too long, and the Three Lions have no fixtures for the next two months, meaning a return to Gareth Southgate's squad is still a possibility ahead of next summer's European Championships.
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Source : 90min