Drinkwater Hails Team Player Vardy

- The midfielder praises Vardy’s influence both on and off the pitch 

- Vardy scored the opening goal in City’s 3-0 Barclays Premier League win over Newcastle United on Saturday 

- Drinkwater praises strikers Leonardo Ulloa and Shinji Okazaki after they found the net in a win that sent City to the top of the table 

Midfielder Danny Drinkwater says the Leicester City squad are delighted to see Jamie Vardy continue his scoring streak because of the hard work he puts in for the team.

The striker scored for a record-equalling 10th Barclays Premier League game in succession on Saturday afternoon as the Foxes beat Newcastle United 3-0 at St James’ Park to move to the top of the table. 

And Drinkwater insists that every single member of the squad will be doing everything to help him continue that streak – a testament to Vardy’s attitude on the pitch and his popularity off it. 

Speaking to after the match, Drinkwater said: “The three points were massive and Vards (Jamie Vardy) as well carrying on with his record. Fair play to him he’s doing brilliantly and the lads will keep supporting him in everything we do. 

“I don’t think he thinks about it (the streak) when he crosses the white line. He just knuckles down to his game and enjoys his football. The more he gets, the better. 

“He’s working hard for the team as well as getting his goals so you won’t see any lads in the dressing room questioning anything about him. On the pitch he’s a great lad to play with and he’s definitely the difference. 

“He’s a big character in the dressing room, has the jokes but he’s a good lad and most importantly he does the business on the pitch.” 

But while Vardy and team-mate Riyad Mahrez have scored the lion’s share of City’s goals this term, the entire squad have had important roles to play, so Drinkwater was equally thrilled to see Leonardo Ulloa and Shinji Okazaki on the scoresheet on Saturday too. 

Last season’s top scorer Ulloa found the net with a bullet header in the second half while Okazaki’s opportunist finish made it three near the death, and Drinkwater was keen to highlight their contribution. 

“They deserve the goals,” he added. “Shinji has come on as a substitute, worked hard and got his goal. Leo worked hard throughout the game and got his reward. It’s just midfielders now who need to score! But the lads are working hard for each other and the people who get the goals are a good reflection on the team. 

“Everyone on the pitch [deserves credit]. If everyone on the pitch could score it’d be great but the strikers are there to finish the goals, which is what they’re doing. The more credit they get the better and we’ll just keep grafting.”