Leicester City: Jamie Vardy named FWA footballer of the year

Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy has been named footballer of the year by the Football Writers' Association as Claudio Ranieri's team close in on the Premier League title. The Foxes will be crowned Champions if Tottenham Hotspur fail to beat Chelsea on 2 May.

The 29-year-old striker has scored 22 goals to help the King Power Stadium outfit mount an incredible push for the title, which could come into fruition before the sun comes up on 3 May. He also scored goals in 11 consecutive Premier League games to beat the long standing record of Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

The striker's performance this season has seen him being called up to the England squad, and it is certain he will travel as part of Roy Hodgson's 23-man squad for the European Championship finals in France later this year. Leicester's Riyad Mahrez was crowned the PFA player of the year in April, making it a clean sweep of domestic awards for the champions-elect and the possible title win on Monday night will complete the trifecta ahead of Everton's visit on 7 May.

Vardy, who will return to the Leicester squad after serving a two-game ban following a red card, has thanked his teammates following his win and has made it clear that he is completely focussed on getting "over the line" in the title race.

"It's a great honour to win such a prestigious award and to have my name added to a list of previous winners that includes some unbelievable players. Thank you to the Football Writers' Association and to everyone that voted," Vardy said, as quoted by the Mirror.

"Thank you also to my team-mates, who are the reason I've been able to achieve anything. It's been an amazing season for all of us at Leicester, based on the team-work not individuals, which you can see in the voting. Thanks also to the manager, all the staff and the fans for their support."

"We're all totally focused on getting over the line in the final two weeks of the season and turning a great season into one we'll never forget. Hopefully I can contribute to that and, if selected, carry some good form into the Euros this summer," he added.