Jamie Vardy wants his Leicester City shirt back

Jamie Vardy has declared he is raring to go after his illness and is determined to win back his place in Leicester City's starting line-up.

The 25-year-old had been an ever-present in City's attack until he contracted a virus, which left him bedridden for a week.

Vardy, who has contributed four goals so far after his summer move from Fleetwood Town, was used as a late substitute last weekend at Birmingham but did not look his usual effervescent self.

He looked lively again when he again went on off the bench during Tuesday's victory against Brighton, and he could return instead of Martyn Waghorn for tomorrow's visit of Crystal Palace.

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City also hope that Ritchie De Laet and David Nugent, who both went off on Tuesday, will have recovered from knocks.

"I am 100 per cent fit now," said Vardy. "I managed to get all my fitness back and, the weight I lost, I managed to put back on.

"I am not sure what it was but I woke up very weak one day and couldn't get out of bed for about a week.

"I wasn't feeling the best when I went off against Bristol City and it went downhill after that.

"It was frustrating but it is nice to see the boys kept winning and we are keeping the pressure on at the top.

"It is down to me and my own ability now to get that shirt back, and to prove in training to the gaffer that I deserve to go back in.

"I am delighted with how I have started the season but I have to keep it going. Hopefully, that will keep me in that starting XI for the rest of the season."

Manager Nigel Pearson also said he felt Vardy was now over the worst of his illness and ready for a recall.

"When Jamie went on at the weekend there still seemed a bit of a hangover from it," said Pearson.

"When he went on (against Brighton) he looked very energetic again. It really made an impact on the game and that is what we want."