Stoke Boss Expects Iheanacho To Be Named In Leicester Starting XI If Vardy Is Rested

Stoke City boss Michael O'Neill expects Kelechi Iheanacho to be named in Leicester City's starting lineup if prolific striker Jamie Vardy is rested by manager Brendan Rodgers.

Vardy has been playing through the pain barrier in the last few games and it is all but confirmed that he will not be in the matchday squad against the Potters.

The likes of Kelechi Iheanacho, Ayoze Perez and Dennis Praet are the candidates to replace the former England international striker in the number nine role.

"That goes without saying. Vardy, for me, is a phenomenon given his career path and his ability to stay as one of the best strikers in the Premier League. It’s a bonus for us that he’s not playing," O'Neill told reporters during  Friday's pre-match press conference.

"But like any Premier League side, particularly in the top six, the players they bring in are of such a high calibre as well. (Kelechi) Iheanacho will play if Vardy doesn’t, I imagine.

"Brendan has other choices he can do with this team. He can be flexible.

"Whatever team Leicester play and whatever system, they will be well structured, well organised and have quality all over the pitch."

The FA Cup is Iheanacho's favourite competition as he has his best minutes-per-goal ratio in the competition, one  goal every 87 minutes, having netted 10 goals in 867 minutes spread across fourteen matches.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : lcfc.com