Jamie Vardy says he still has plenty to prove to England boss Roy Hodgson, despite his high-scoring season in the Premier League.
The Leicester striker has enjoyed a tremendous campaign with his table-topping club side, but competition for a place in the national team remains high.
Germany v England
International match
Olympiastadion, Berlin
7.45pm (GMT) Saturday 26 March
Live on ITV 1
With Danny Welbeck and Daniel Sturridge back in the squad after injuries, Hodgson has several attacking options at his disposal for Saturday’s trip to Germany and next week’s home clash with the Netherlands.
And, while confident in his own ability, the 29 year-old says he will need to work hard this week to ensure he is at the forefront of his manager’s thoughts.
“I think I have always got to have something to prove,” Vardy told the media at St. George’s Park on Wednesday.
“It is going to be difficult for everyone but having competition can only benefit us”
Jamie Vardy
“It is going to be difficult for everyone but having the competition we have got can only benefit us. It will make us even better going forward.
“We will have to see what happens on the training pitch. We all know how well everyone is doing and when the gaffer does pick his team, it is up to them to keep the shirt.
“There is quality all the way through the team and it is down to each individual to show what they can do to obviously put themselves in the gaffer’s thoughts and see who he picks for the games.
“If you are picked by the gaffer to come and join the squad, you are there for a reason and for what you have been doing on the pitch during the season.
“I have just got to keep doing that, keep knuckling down and keep working as hard as I can.”
