Jamie Vardy 'hopeful' of imminent return

Leicester City frontman Jamie Vardy has said that he is "hopeful" of being fully fit in time for the Community Shield this weekend.

The 29-year-old has been forced to sit out Leicester's run of pre-season fixtures thus far after surgery for a long-standing wrist problem.

While he admitted that he has to be "careful" during training sessions, Vardy is now targeting a return in time for the Premier League champions' encounter with FA Cup holders Manchester United at Wembley on Sunday.

"Obviously when the cast comes off we'll see how much it's healed, or it might have healed completely," Vardy told Foxes Player.

"So we'll have to just wait and see and hopefully it'll be good news. Who knows? I might be able to get some time against Barcelona [in the International Champions Cup] on Wednesday."

Vardy spent most of last season wearing a protective cast on his arm after picking up an injury in September, but delayed his surgery until last month in order to play for England at Euro 2016.