Claude Puel dismisses suggestions of rift with Jamie Vardy at Leicester

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  • Leicester boss Claude Puel has dismissed suggestions of a rift with Jamie Vardy.

    The striker was filmed apparently upset Puel was speaking to Paul Pogba on the pitch after the 1-0 defeat to Manchester United last weekend.

    The footage could have been interpreted that the outburst was directed at the Frenchman.

    But Puel – who has confirmed Marc Albrighton is likely to miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury – insisted there are no problems with the forward.

    He said: “I have a good relationship with him. We know Jamie – after he lost he is angry, it’s normal for a player.

    No problem boss: Jamie Vardy.

    No problem boss: Jamie Vardy.

    “If I thought one of my players was disrespectful to me or the club there would be a sanction but that was not the case.”

    Puel will be counting on Vardy to deliver once again when they make the trip to Wembley on Sunday, with the former England man boasting an impressive record against the top six sides – currently totaling 28 goals since the Foxes returned to the top flight, and he acknowledges that being forced to sit back plays into his striker’s hands.

    “Perhaps because we have to put in place a deep block and we have more possibility to play counter attack,” he said, when asked for the reasons behind the record. “And perhaps some players can have more desire, more concentration, more motivation against big teams.

    “It is always a good challenge for all my squad. We have showed a lot of quality against big teams.”

    Meanwhile, Albrighton has been ruled out for the rest of the season after a serious hamstring injury. The winger needs surgery on the problem and is unlikely to feature for the Foxes again this term.

    He suffered the injury in training before the loss to United.

    Puel said: “We know the injury to Marc Albrighton, he’s had a serious hamstring injury which is bad news for us the team. He won’t be available perhaps until the end of the season.

    “It is that serious. We know Marc’s qualities he brings the team, good spirit and aggressiveness.

    “He is a hard worker for the team. We will see. The best thing for us is it gives other players an opportunity to show quality and how we play without Marc.”

    Leicester go to Tottenham on Sunday also missing Daniel Amartey, who is sidelined with a broken ankle he suffered in October.

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