Jamie Vardy hoping to take England chance

Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy has admitted that he is still in shock over his England call-up.

The 28-year-old has been named as part of the Three Lions squad for upcoming games against the Republic of Ireland and Slovenia, following on from an impressive campaign at club level.

It is a far cry from the days when Vardy was running out for Sheffield club Stocksbridge Park Steels in the eighth tier of English football, but he insists that he is ready to grab his chance with both hands.

"It doesn't feel real," he is quoted as saying by BT Sport. "There's been a lot of hard work put into it, and I have to pinch myself most days before I even got here, but I've been given the chance now and hopefully I can take it."

Vardy scored five goals and recorded a further eight assists for Leicester during last season's Premier League campaign.