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World Cup? Madd for it

Leicester’s James Maddison says he will continue to work hard in the hope that he can perform well and force his way into Gareth Southgate’s World Cup squad.

The midfielder was superb in the Foxes’ 4-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Monday night, scoring twice and setting up a goal for Patson Daka.

The result lifted Brendan Rodgers’ team off the foot of the Premier League at the expense of their opponents.

“It has been a bit weird, to be honest, because we have been bottom of the league and results haven’t gone our way, but I have almost been as confident as I have ever been in my career,” Maddison told Sky Sports afterwards.

“I do not remember, over the last 12 months, playing better than I have and feeling better than I have.

“It is hard to answer because you want to say the right thing and not the wrong thing, but [playing at the World Cup is’ an ambition of mine, a goal of mine.

“I am a football man, I watch international football and an opportunity at that level is something I desire and one I know I would have an impact at, and one I hope will come my way at some point.

“I am not naïve, I know there are top players in those forward areas, but I have a self-belief and a confidence that I can be in that category.”

“I will keep working hard, I have got to have the mindset of forcing my way in because those players at the big clubs are in at the minute and they are top players, but I think there could be a space for me. So I will keep working hard and producing performances like that tonight and see where it leads me.”