ENGLAND: Ricardo Pereira strengthens Portugal call-up hope with another goal

Ricardo Pereira scored for the second consecutive week in the Premier League on Sunday, getting the opener in Leicester City’s 5-0 hammering of Newcastle United at the Walkers Stadium.

The former Porto right-back drove infield with the ball and finished expertly with his weaker left foot for a superb individual goal after 16 minutes, and it proved the catalyst for a big win for The Foxes.

Speaking after the match to Sky Sports, Pereira said: “My first job is to defend, then if I have the opportunity to go forward and help the team even better. It opened up, I saw the space, Jamie’s movement dragged the defender away and I tried my luck and scored fortunately.”

Pereira has been the subject of discussion in the local press during the week after Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers said it was “absolutely incredible” that the 25-year-old was not a current member of Fernando Santos’ Seleção plans. Forward Vardy agreed with the notion. “Yeah 100%. You see what he’s like - consistently good. And he’s only going to get better,” said the England striker.

By Sean Gillen