The striker says he would “never in a million years” have thought he would be the Premier League’s top scorer

Jamie Vardy has admitted he “pinches himself every day” after reflecting on his remarkable journey to becoming the Premier League’s top goalscorer.

Vardy’s 18-goal haul has helped to fire Leicester City to the top of the Premier League – five points clear of second-placed Tottenham.

The Foxes defeated Manchester City 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday to cap off a dream week that saw him sign a new three-and-a-half year deal.

“I do have to pinch myself every day really but it has taken a lot of hard work to be honest,” said Vardy, who was playing non-league football and working a full-time job only three years ago.

“It wasn’t nice playing and having to work full-time all day, so I had to put the work in at first just to get a half-decent club.

“It’s a rise that I wouldn’t have predicted to happen but it’s credit to me for the work I’ve put in as well.

“I literally wish I could play football every day and can carry on playing.”

The 29-year-old said his apprenticeship in the game made him appreciate his job more than most professional footballers.

“You hear some players say that it’s just a job for them but for me it is nothing like that,” he said.

“I’ve worked so hard to get here and I want to keep being here as long as I can. I enjoy every minute of it.

“When I was at Halifax I never thought I would earn a move to the Conference but I got that, then kicked on and from there you would never have thought there would be a move to Leicester, then playing for England.

“You would never have thought it in a million years. But it has happened. It has all worked out well but there has been so much hard work put in it’s untrue.”