Gareth Southgate backs Leicester striker Jamie Vardy to shine
Thursday 27 October 2016 12:36, UK
Interim England boss Gareth Southgate has backed Ballon d'Or nominee Jamie Vardy to end his worst goal drought for almost two years.
The Leicester striker has failed to score in his last 10 appearances for club and country and was benched by Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri on Saturday.
Vardy came on as a second-half substitute in their 3-1 win over Crystal Palace after being replaced by Shinji Okazaki in the starting line-up. It was the first time he had not started a Premier League game when available since March 2015.
Three goals so far this season is in stark contrast to a year ago when the 29-year-old was on his record 11-game Premier League scoring streak to help Leicester win the title.
"All goalscorers have periods where they are not scoring," Southgate said. "History and records over the years shows you what they are likely to fall back into and his scoring record is phenomenal. I have played with Alan Shearer when he went through the same - and Andy Cole.
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"Over a long period of time if they have a record of one in two or one in three they will come back to that. You can take a small sample of games for any player but that's all it is.
"You have to look longer-term, especially with goalscorers. He has proven himself at every level."
Southgate selected Vardy, who has four goals in 12 caps, in his first squad for World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovenia with the forward a substitute in the 2-0 win over Malta.
He scored in Leicester's 2-1 Community Shield defeat to Manchester United and netted in back-to-back games against Swansea and Liverpool in August and September but has not found the net since.
The make-up of Southgate's next squad for the World Cup qualifier with Scotland and friendly against Spain in November is unlikely to change greatly meaning Vardy could still feature despite his lack of goals.
Southgate, who has temporarily been replaced as U21 boss by Aidy Boothroyd, wants to ensure the Three Lions remain ahead in the group and remains focused on the international derby ahead of facing the Spanish.
"Scotland is a World Cup Qualifier, in terms of the importance for England that's key and it's the next game," Southgate added. "Spain is a great opportunity to test yourself against one of the best teams in the world.
"Really we aim to come out of the game with Scotland top of the group and that's the only test we're looking for really."
