Leicester City winger plays down England talk

Leicester winger Marc Albrighton has played down his chances of a late England call up, despite being tipped for the squad.

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He impressed again in yesterday's 1-0 win over Newcastle which ensured Leicester will go into the international break top of the table.

Roy Hodgson will name his England squad for friendlies against Germany and Holland on Thursday as he prepares for Euro 2016 but, despite his form, Albrighton refused to get carried away.

"It's far from my mind. If he is watching, fantastic," Albrighton said.

"I am an English footballer and the top is playing for England. Don't get me wrong it would be a fantastic achievement for myself but my concentration is on Leicester.

"I haven't thought about it (Euro 2016). Roy Hodgson on has got a solid squad which he has had for a couple of years.

"There are some young lads in there, it would be a good squad whatever he takes. Hopefully they can do something but as far as I'm concerned it's concentrate here and if I'm picked, fantastic.

"If I could get picked I would be as chuffed as anyone you could ever meet but I won't be getting my hopes up."

Jamie Vardy, the league's joint 19-goal top scorer, is virtually guaranteed a spot in Hodgson's squad for France this summer but Albrighton believes team-mate Danny Drinkwater deserves a chance to prove himself.

"I don't see why not. He has been fantastic for us, he has really come into his own. If people are going to be picked on form then he should be one of the first names on the squad list," Albrighton said.

Albrighton helped set up Shinji Okazaki's spectacular winner on Monday but Okazaki revealed boss Claudio Ranieri was unhappy with how they played in the first half," Albrighton said.

"The goal was just instinctive. That is my character. We've got a five point gap again now so it was a very important match to win but the manager was so angry at half-time.

"Yes, he is smiling most of the time but when we came in at half-time he was mad. He is always joking but maybe to see him angry like that is good for us."