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The Nairobian

Smalling wary of Vardy

Football

By Agencies | Dec 23, 2017

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling is wary of the threat posed by Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy but is looking forward to the challenge of keeping the speed merchant in check today.

Vardy was a key component in Leicester’s title-winning campaign in 2015-16 and has scored seven goals in 18 league matches this season, along with a League Cup goal in the midweek defeat by Manchester City.

Smalling said United’s defenders would not be able to relax for a moment at the King Power Stadium.

“He is someone who is a bit of a nightmare for defenders because he is often ratting around and chasing with non-stop running.

“He runs in behind which, as a defender, is the hardest thing to deal with, but I will be looking forward to that battle and, hopefully, I’ll be ready to keep him quiet.”

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United are looking for a third consecutive league win to keep in touch with leaders City but will face a Leicester side who have won four of their last five league games to climb to eighth.

“You know their qualities and their wingers - Demarai Gray is coming into the team and Riyad Mahrez is in form as well,” said Smalling.

“So those are the players we need to keep quiet and, when we get the ball, we need to make sure that we get at their backline.”

Meanwhile, Southampton players and fans must unite to help the Premier League club get more wins and improve their position in the standings, striker Charlie Austin has said.

The Saints have won just one of their last nine league games to drop to 12th position and are just three points ahead of 18th-placed Newcastle United following consecutive defeats to Leicester City and champions Chelsea.

One positive for the club has been Austin’s form with the 28-year-old scoring four goals in Southampton’s last six league games. The Englishman has urged fans to get behind the team as they push for positive results.

“We know we need to improve and a one-club mentality can be powerful for that,” Austin told the club’s website (southamptonfc.com).

“We need to do better, we know that because as you look at the table we need to be higher up. It doesn’t take long, if you put together a few wins then you can be pushed right up there.

“I know the fans will think ‘people are always saying this’, but we do need to stick together because it is really important.”

Southampton have won just three of their 10 home games in the league this campaign and Austin believes the club must re-establish their dominance at St Mary’s, starting with today’s match against Huddersfield Town.

“We need to get back to making St Mary’s a fortress where teams come and they’re worried,” Austin said.