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JAMIE VARDY

LONDON. — Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy can make history for the second weekend running when the English Premier League soccer’s early-season over-achievers visit slip-sliding Swansea City.

Vardy’s goal in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United saw him set a new English Premier League record of scoring in 11 consecutive matches, eclipsing the mark set by United old boy Ruud van Nistelrooy in 2003.

Should he score at Swansea, Vardy will equal an even more historic mark: Jimmy Dunne’s English top-flight record from 1931-32 of scoring in 12 successive games for Sheffield United.

But the England striker has played down the significance of the new milestone, telling Sky Sports: “I just have my eyes on helping Leicester get three points at the weekend.

“If someone else gets the winning goal, then I am more than happy.”

While Leicester go into the weekend level on points with leaders Manchester City, Swansea are just four points above the relegation zone following a run of one win in 10 matches.

It has led to speculation about the future of manager Garry Monk, who knows that his side’s ability to contain former non-league player Vardy could be a determining factor in the outcome of the match.

“We obviously have experience of coming up through the leagues and we have players that have come through to this level,” Monk told his pre-match press conference.

“Our club will appreciate a story like that, but it’s our job to maybe put an end to that story.”

Manchester City have an opportunity to put pressure on the chasing pack as they visit Stoke City, their fellow League Cup semi-finalists, in today’s lunch-time fixture.

With progress assured in both the League Cup and the Champions League, Manuel Pellegrini’s side can plough all their resources into the league campaign ahead of a sequence of six matches in 24 days.

“Now it is the most difficult time in the league with games coming thick and fast, one after the other,” said City forward Raheem Sterling.

“We basically have to take it slow, win game after game and get a good run going.”

Third-place Manchester United could be forgiven for having their thoughts elsewhere as they gear up for today’s home game against West Ham United.

On Tuesday they visit Wolfsburg for a match they are likely to have to win to secure a place in the Champions League last 16, leaving manager Louis van Gaal with a dilemma over who to select for the visit of West Ham.

Manchester United will be without captain Wayne Rooney and defender Marcos Rojo for their clash against West Ham United, van Gaal said yesterday.

Rooney has been ruled out of today’s game at Old Trafford with an ankle injury he picked up in the 1-1 draw with Leicester City at the weekend, while fullback Rojo has suffered a repeat of the shoulder dislocation he had last season.

“Wayne’s injury is more heavy than we thought and it’s a nasty injury,” Van Gaal told the club’s website.

“When we go on it’s been getting worse. We have to let him train to make the ankle stronger, that’s very important. I cannot say (how long he’ll be out) because the doctor shall decide that with Wayne of course. He is training well in the rehabilitation.”

Van Gaal also confirmed that Rojo had dislocated his shoulder in training and bemoaned his luck at the string of “unavoidable” injuries his players had suffered. “Rojo has been injured. It’s his shoulder, the same as last year, in a training session. It’s very unfortunate, also in the position of Luke Shaw so I have a great problem,” he said.

“I have already given the players two days off this week. I am giving them a lot of rest because I think it is necessary now, nevertheless we have six injuries most of which are contact injuries.

“You cannot avoid those because football is a sport with direct resistance. We are unlucky I have to say.”

Phil Jones (ankle/foot) and Ander Herrera (hamstring) are also ruled out against eighth-placed West Ham, but young midfielder Jesse Lingard (hamstring) is returning to fitness after missing the game against Leicester.

Another manager ruing a long injury list is Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger, who will be without star forward Alexis Sanchez and midfielder Santi Cazorla — to name but two players — for the home game with Sunderland.

Wenger has become accustomed to losing key performers in recent seasons, but he sought to accentuate the positive side-effects of the situation as his team look to end a run of three matches without victory. “It’s always a disappointment to lose the players at an important moment of the season,” the Frenchman told the Arsenal website.

“But on the other hand, it’s a great challenge to take for the team and a great opportunity to show that we are ready for a fight and we can deal with it.” Champions Chelsea, languishing in 14th place, will expect to continue their recent improvement at home to a Bournemouth team who have gone eight games without a win and shipped 18 goals in six outings.

Eddie Howe’s side could therefore prove ideal opposition for the return of Diego Costa, who is likely to be recalled after spending Chelsea’s 0-0 draw at Tottenham Hotspur last weekend stewing on the bench.

While Spurs, who visit West Bromwich Albion, remain unbeaten in 13 league games, they are at risk of being outflanked by Liverpool, whose 6-1 League Cup win at Southampton on Wednesday was their seventh in eight games. Jurgen Klopp’s side, who trail fifth-place Tottenham by two points, visit second-bottom Newcastle United tomorrow.

Fixtures (all 5pm unless otherwise stated)

Today: Arsenal v Sunderland, Chelsea v Bournemouth (7:30pm), Manchester United v West Ham United, Southampton v Aston Villa, Stoke City v Manchester City (2:45pm), Swansea City v Leicester City, Watford v Norwich City, West Bromwich Albion v Tottenham Hotspur

Tomorrow (6pm): Newcastle United v Liverpool

Monday (10pm): Everton v Crystal Palace — AFP.