Alan Pardew has warned his Crystal Palace team that they will be coming up against the sharpest striker in the Premier League tomorrow in Jamie Vardy.

The 28-year-old, who has represented England on four occasions since making his international debut in June, has been in scintillating form this season, scoring nine goals in nine games.

And the Eagles boss believes Vardy is the Premier League’s most in-form forward, but insists that he is not the only threat the Foxes possess.

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“They have various offensive options, all of which are problematic,” Pardew, 54, said.

“Nathan Dyer came off the bench, who I think’s a terrific player, and changed the game a little bit against Southampton [last week].

“They’ve got good offensive players, but [Vardy] is the sharpest striker in the division at the moment.

“Coming from where he’s come from, the route to where he finds himself now is astonishing, it’s a credit to the boy. He’s done terrifically well.”

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Pardew also spoke highly of Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri who, since joining the club in July, has only lost one out of their nine league games.

He added: “I’m a big fan of the manager, who carries himself really well and he’s had big teams so he knows how to keep a winning run going and they’re in a great zone at the moment.

“It’s a really tough game, and a crucial game, in terms of us and Leicester because it will propel one above the other.”

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