Jamie Vardy named as October's Premier League Player of the Month

Leicester's Jamie Vardy has been named as the Barclays Premier League Player of the Month for October

Jamie Vardy named as October's Premier League Player of the Month after striker hit five goals in four games for Leicester City

 

The plaudits keep coming for Leicester City hotshot Jamie Vardy after the in-form striker was named as the Barclays Premier League Player of the Month for October.

Leicester City forward Vardy hit five goals in his club's four Premier League games last month as he kept up a scoring streak that now stands at nine consecutive top-flight matches.

The 28-year-old is a first-time winner of the monthly award, and he proudly posed with the trophy at Leicester's Belvoir Drive training ground after being selected by a panel drawn up of a cross-section of media, administrators, ex-players and fans based in the UK and overseas.

Vardy is the Premier League's top goalscorer on 12 goals - five ahead of any rival - and has been hailed for his role in Leicester's shock rise into the top four.

Claudio Ranieri's side currently sit third, just a point behind leaders Manchester City and Arsenal, after many tipped them for relegation when former manager Nigel Pearson left in the summer.

Their victory over Watford on Saturday was their third in a row in the league, while Vardy's prize-winning month saw them win three and draw one of their four matches.

Vardy joins up with the England squad this week after Roy Hodgson recognised his rise to the top by handing him an international debut in September's Euro 2016 qualifying win over San Marino.

After searching for his first goal for his country, the former non-league forward can match Ruud van Nistelrooy's Premier League goal record when his club travel to Newcastle United on November 21.

Dutch striker Van Nistelrooy netted in 10 consecutive games between March and August 2003 for Manchester United - a feat Vardy can level up with if he strikes at St James' Park.

Provided he scores in that game, he could even beat the legendary poacher's record when Van Nistelrooy's former club United visit the King Power Stadium on November 28.

But for now, Vardy can enjoy his success. He takes home the prize as the division's top player for October, while Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger claims the Manager of the Month award.

Vardy saw off competition from fellow nominees Mesut Ozil, Olivier Giroud, Kevin De Bruyne, Odion Ighalo and Jack Butland.

At the weekend, manager Ranieri compared his scoring record to that of iconic striker Gabriel Batistuta, who the Italian managed at Fiorentina in the mid-90s.

'I remember Gabriel Batistuta, when I was manager in Fiorentina,' Ranieri said. 'I think he scored for eleven (games). I think Jamie is fantastic now.'

And Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores added his name to the list of the striker's many admirers, saying: 'He is always willing to run and play and get behind the back of the defensive line.

'He is very difficult to stop.' When asked if Vardy could score at international level, Flores added: 'I have no doubts. For sure.'