Bournemouth v Leicester preview: Jamie Vardy returns for Foxes

Leicester manager Claude Puel has warned Bournemouth Jamie Vardy is "refreshed and hungry" as he prepares to return to action at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The striker has missed the last three matches through suspension following his straight red card during the home win against Wolves on August 18.

Vardy, 31, has also had a more relaxed international break after asking not to be considered for England duty any more to allow younger players to get their chance, although he has not closed the door completely on playing for the national team again.

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Leicester resume their Premier League campaign on the south coast this weekend and ahead of the match, Puel said: "He's not played a lot, but I hope he can find his rhythm and tempo.

"I was happy to keep him for a few weeks and hopefully we can have Jamie with good fitness to play the next game. He's refreshed and will bring a good mentality, and he is hungry."

Meanwhile, Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe knows his team will have to be on their guard to limit the impact of a refreshed Vardy.

Howe, though, expects a disciplined approach from his side as they look for a response from the defeat at Chelsea before the international break.

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"He [Vardy] is a very good player, an outstanding centre forward who has done really well in recent seasons," Howe said.

"Whether the break inspires him, from our perspective we obviously want to keep him quiet and try to deal with his main strengths."

Team news

Matty James is the only absentee for Leicester. The midfielder underwent surgery at the end of last season to correct an Achilles problem, but he now requires another operation following a fresh injury issue.

Scotland winger Ryan Fraser is a doubt because of a hamstring problem picked up on international duty, while Caglar Soyuncu is "fit and ready" to make his Leicester debut.

The 22-year-old centre back has yet to feature since his £19m arrival from Bundesliga side Freiburg on the final day of the summer transfer window.

As for Bournemouth, left-back Charlie Daniels (knee) missed the defeat at Chelsea before the international break and remains unavailable.

However, midfielder Junior Stanislas, who last week signed a new three-year contract, continues his comeback from a knee injury.

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Opta stats

• Bournemouth are unbeaten in their six Premier League meetings with Leicester, though five of these have ended level (W1 D5 L0)
• There have been just seven goals scored in the six Premier League meetings between Bournemouth (4) and Leicester (3), with neither side managing to score more than once in a single match
• Leicester's last win against Bournemouth came in February 2014, with veteran striker Kevin Phillips netting the only goal in a 1-0 win in the Championship
• Puel has yet to lose versus Bournemouth in the Premier League (W1 D2); against no side has he faced more often in the competition without losing
• Leicester have conceded exactly five goals in three different away Premier League matches in 2018; no team has ever shipped 5+ goals in four Premier League away games in a single calendar year
• Bournemouth have lost just two of their last 12 Premier League contests at the Vitality Stadium, winning six and drawing four
• Bournemouth's Callum Wilson has had a hand in four goals in his last five Premier League games (three goals, one assist), after failing to score or assist in any of his previous 12 in the competition
• Since the start of last season, Leicester midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has attempted more tackles than any other player in the Premier League (151)
• Vardy, who returns from suspension for this match, has scored nine of the Foxes' last 17 away Premier League goals, including eight of 16 in 2018
• If Bournemouth striker Jermain Defoe finds the net in this match, Leicester will be the 10th side that he has scored against for three or more different teams, having previously netted against the Foxes with Sunderland and Spurs

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Merson's prediction

Tough one this one. There will be goals as both teams will attack. I like watching Bournemouth play at home - you are always guaranteed a good time. However, Jamie Vardy is back for Leicester, which will help them. Score draw.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-2 (20/1 with Sky Bet)

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