Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri hailed captain Wes Morgan after the skipper shook off sickness to strengthen his side’s grip on the Premier League title.
Morgan has been an ever-present this season and headed the winner in the Foxes’ 1-0 triumph over Southampton on Sunday to send them seven points clear at the top.
He only returned from international duty with Jamaica on Friday and also missed a break last summer because he was playing in the Gold Cup for his country.
And, after the defender’s first goal of the season, Ranieri said the 32-year-old was his leader on the pitch.
He said: “If you can imagine he didn’t have a holiday this season. After the national team in July he came here and I gave him some days off and during the season I gave him some days off because he needs them.
“He came back on Friday and was cold and tired. All the players are important and Wes is fantastic, but he is a strong man and a good example for everyone.
“When he speaks everyone listens, but everyone is a leader in my dressing room because everyone knows what I want.”
Morgan told Sky Sports: “I’ve been getting a lot of stick because I haven’t scored all season so it’s great to shut them up. I was quite ill yesterday but obviously I wanted to play.”
