Brendan Rodgers backs Jamie Vardy to become second oldest player to reach Premier League century

Vardy is currently on 74 strikes in the top flight, and is contracted to Leicester until 2022, when he will be 35

Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers believes Jamie Vardy can become the second oldest player behind Ian Wright to reach 100 Premier League goals.

Vardy is 32 and is currently on 74 strikes in the top flight, and is contracted to Leicester until 2022, when he will be 35.

Currently, Wright, the Arsenal legend, is the oldest to reach a century of Premier League goals after making his debut in the competition at the age of 28 years, 286 days.

Vardy was 27 years 232 days old on his Premier League debut, so would become the second oldest to achieve the feat. He has scored 12 Premier League goals this season.

Rodgers has no doubts the former England striker will complete the milestone.

“Yeah, I would say he would do that, absolutely,” he said. “It's 26 goals he's got to go and he's as fit as a butcher's dog. As long as he doesn't get injuries he'll have a great chance.

“I don't want to trap the boy into pressure. For me it's getting him to enjoy his football, and when you have that energy and happiness, you produce good football.

“He's 32 and if he's fit and looks after his life and he's a natural goalscorer he's going to give himself a chance. He's such a good player.”

Rodgers knew about Vardy the goalscorer before he was appointed at Leicester but having got to know him, has been hugely impressed by the footballing brain of the player.

“He is tactically very good. He knows the game and you talk to him and he's got a real in-built brain for football,” added Rodgers. “You sense that with him. He watches and studies the game.

“It's great to have that, when you have got guys who love football. It helps.”

Vardy announced his retired from international football in August after the World Cup, and Rodgers believes that was the right decision to give him an extra focus domestically. He won 26 caps after making his debut in May 2015.

“You’ve seen over the years players doing this to prolong their careers,” said the City manager. “He wasn’t going to be starting games (for England).

“For some boys it is difficult. We’ve seen Paul Scholes and Jamie Carragher do it because they love their country, but they love to play and if that's the case, they think 'well, if I’m not going to play so much, I’ll devote my time to my club and my family.

Jamie Vardy has scored three in two matches under Brendan Rodgers (AFP/Getty Images)

“For him it was to prolong his career it was probably the right thing for him. But everybody is different.”

Leicester City's players and staff will travel to Thailand next week for the cremation of the club's late owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

The squad attended the funeral of the chairman in November, but those not on international duty, plus Rodgers and his staff, will travel to the Far East next week to pay their final respects.