Claude Puel says Leicester must cope in absence of Jamie Vardy
"He's a valuable player for us but we cannot play all the season with one striker with the possibility to score."
Friday 24 August 2018 23:37, UK
Leicester boss Claude Puel says the absence of suspended striker Jamie Vardy has opened the door for other players to step up and fill the void.
The England striker will begin his suspension when Leicester visit Southampton in the Premier League on Saturday.
Vardy was sent off in last week's 2-0 home win over Wolves and Kelechi Iheanacho, Demarai Gray and Shinji Okazaki are all in contention to replace him.
"He's a valuable player for us but we cannot play all the season with one striker with the possibility to score," Puel said.
"It's a good chance to give responsibility to other players, for example I was happy with the progress of Iheanacho at the end of last season.
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"We have lost Jamie for three games but it will be a good chance to give responsibility to other players, they have good maturity to take their place in the team.
"We need to have players to take the place because it will be a long season.
"We have Jamie but if something arrives without the possibility to use Jamie it's important the players have the desire to take his place."
Vardy was dismissed for only the third time in his six years at Leicester and the 31-year-old will also miss the club's matches against former club Fleetwood in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday and next Saturday's visit of Liverpool, live on Sky Sports.
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Despite losing the influential player, Puel does not want his striker to curb his combative nature when he is back in contention for selection.
"I cannot get angry with Jamie, he gives his best with a good spirit and brings a good attitude," he said.
"Last week he was not a saint so he cannot play against the Saints but I hope he can progress in training and maintain a good level. It will be four weeks without playing and a pre-season.
"It's important to keep his fighting spirit because it's the most important thing for him. Perhaps last week it was too much but we don't want to change Jamie. I want him to continue like this."
