Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna praises Jamie Vardy’s ‘fantastic journey’ ahead of Premier League clash at King Power Stadium

Kieran McKenna believes that Jamie Vardy will have acted as a source of inspiration for some members of his Ipswich Town squad.

Vardy’s story is a well told one, with the striker having progressed from non-league football to win the Premier League title and FA Cup with Leicester City.

Sunday afternoon’s clash between the Foxes and Ipswich at the King Power Stadium will mark the end of the striker’s incredible spell in the east Midlands, although he is expected to play on elsewhere into next season.

And having guided Ipswich from League One up to the top flight with many of the same players, McKenna feels that Vardy is someone his players will have looked up to as an example.

“It's obviously a fantastic journey what he's done and he’s very well regarded there (Leicester) and by everyone in English football,” said McKenna.

“I think he has been (an inspiration to some of the Ipswich players). You sort of become a little bit more aware of that, for myself, maybe dropping down to League One for the first time, of how much players use that sort of motivation of players who have gone through the leagues and whatever age they are, still believing that you can climb through the leagues if you keep working on your game and keep improving and keep on top of your condition.

“Certainly players at lower levels do use different role models for that and he's probably been the best in terms of his journey and then the longevity that he's had at the top level. It’s credit to him for that. I know he’s someone who the boys, in terms of the journey, will look up to.

“But I also know they'll be really keen to stop him getting any success on Sunday.”

The reverse meeting between the already-relegated sides back in November at Portman Road left McKenna and his players feeling a sense of injustice.

Leif Davis’ goal put Ipswich 1-0 up before the hosts had what they felt was a clear penalty for a foul on Conor Chaplin turned down by referee, who later sent off Kalvin Phillips. And the 10 men could not hold on as Andre Ayew scored an injury-time equaliser for Leicester.

McKenna added: “That's a frustrating one because, as we have been in a couple of the home games that we haven't picked up points, I think we were the better side on the day.

“We were pleased with a lot of aspects of the performance and we felt like it was a decision really on the day that cost us. I don't think it’s a decision that would happen many times out of 10 and we would win the game. But it is what it is – that's in the past.

“The motivation is there for Sunday irrespective of that, to be honest. So we're going to hope to deliver a good performance.”