Vardy’s England Challenge

05 Jun 2015
1 Minute
After his first training session with England at St. George's Park on Thursday, striker Jamie Vardy has challenged himself to prove his worth on the international stage.
The Leicester City striker earned his first call-up to Roy Hodgson’s squad last month, and will become the Club’s first outfield player to represent the Three Lions since Emile Heskey in 2000, should he be selected to play. 

The former Fleetwood Town man could make his debut for his nation on Sunday when England take on the Republic of Ireland in Dublin, before a UEFA European 2016 Championship Qualifier against Slovenia a week later. 

“There was a lot of hard work that has gone into this, I am not going to lie,” Vardy said. “I have to still pinch myself most days before I even got here. I have been given a chance now and hopefully I will get to show it on the big stage. 

“You would never thought where I have come from this was ever on the cards. I have this opportunity now so I want to go out there and prove I am worthy.” 

Vardy scored five goals in his first season in the Barclays Premier League, facing many of his current England teammates in that space of time. 

Key to City’s top-flight survival was the togetherness of Nigel Pearson’s squad, and Vardy revealed that he’s already had a similar experience in his first England training session. 

He continued: “I was made welcome and was introduced to everyone straight away. The lads all came up to me and introduced themselves. 

“Then I was shown to my room and that was it, it was just a case of waiting for training. You are relaxing until you go out there to train.” 

Many have spoken about the striker’s sensational rise from non-league to the pinnacle of English club football, and Vardy hopes that training and playing with some of the best players in the country will further his rapid progression as a footballer. 

“It is a massive step up but it can only benefit me,” Vardy added. “I am training with the best players in the country. That can only be beneficial. 

“I will take it in my stride. There are a few things I need to learn and I will learn from them and try and make myself a better player.”