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Reuters
Reuters
Sport

Leicester's Vardy not ruling out England return with strikers injured

Football - Premier League - Leicester City v Aston Villa - King Power Stadium, Leicester, Britain - March 9, 2020 Leicester City's Jamie Vardy celebrates scoring their second goal from the penalty spot REUTERS/Andrew Yates EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy refused to rule out a return to the England side for Euro 2020 with first-choices Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford nursing injuries, but the 33-year-old said he had not discussed it with national coach Gareth Southgate.

Vardy, who retired from England duty following the World Cup in 2018, is the Premier League's top scorer this season with 19 goals, following his brace in Monday night's 4-0 win over Aston Villa.

With Tottenham Hotspur's Kane recovering from a hamstring operation he had in January and Manchester United's Rashford out with a back issue, Vardy has emerged as an option for the Euros in June and July.

Football - Premier League - Leicester City v Aston Villa - King Power Stadium, Leicester, Britain - March 9, 2020 Leicester City's Jamie Vardy scores their second goal from the penalty spot Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

"Who knows? Gareth and I both agreed the door would still be open for whatever reason and then we would sit down and have a talk about it (if needed)," Vardy, who has seven goals in 26 appearances for England, told Sky Sports.

"We've not had the chat or anything yet and nothing has been spoken about. The lads (Kane and Rashford) are out injured, but they're looking to be back in time. So only time will tell."

Southgate said last week both Kane, who returned to training on Monday, and Rashford were on track in their recoveries but would not close the door on a recall for Vardy.

Football - Premier League - Leicester City v Aston Villa - King Power Stadium, Leicester, Britain - March 9, 2020 Leicester City's Jamie Vardy in action with Aston Villa's Bjorn Engels Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

The striker admitted, however, that being out of the England side had helped him.

"I'm not going to lie, I've had a few extra days off in the international breaks so I've been able to switch off completely from football and it's always beneficial," Vardy said.

"Knowing that when you get back it's constant again, it's 100% football every day so it's one of those things that has benefited me."

Football - Premier League - Leicester City v Aston Villa - King Power Stadium, Leicester, Britain - March 9, 2020 Leicester City's Jamie Vardy in action with Aston Villa's Bjorn Engels Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers

(Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; editing by Richard Pullin)

Football - Premier League - Leicester City v Aston Villa - King Power Stadium, Leicester, Britain - March 9, 2020 Aston Villa's Pepe Reina reacts after conceding their third goal, scored by Leicester City's Jamie Vardy REUTERS/Andrew Yates
Football - Premier League - Leicester City v Aston Villa - King Power Stadium, Leicester, Britain - March 9, 2020 Leicester City's James Justin shakes hands with Aston Villa's Matt Targett after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers
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