Football: Inexperience may cost Jamie Vardy Euro 2016 starting spot, says Wenger

England manager Roy Hodgson (left) with striker Jamie Vardy during an England training session. PHOTO: EPA

(REUTERS) - Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy's lack of experience at major international tournaments means he will not be an automatic starter for England at Euro 2016, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said.

The 29-year-old forward, who has scored three goals in eight internationals, was the joint second-highest scorer in the Premier League during Leicester's title-winning season and was the Football Writers' Association player of the year.

Arsenal, runners-up last season, are trying to sign Vardy, triggering a release clause in his contract with a bid of about £20 million (S$40 million), British media reported.

"I don't think that he will be a starter. I don't say this because he does not have the quality, but because he doesn't have enough experience at that level to say the whole tournament will depend on Vardy," Wenger told beIN Sports.

Vardy is preparing for Euro 2016 in France, which starts on Friday (June 10), at England's training base in Chantilly.

Roy Hodgson's side open their Group B campaign against Russia on Saturday before facing Wales and Slovakia.

Vardy, who became the first man to score in 11 successive Premier League matches last season, joined Leicester for £1 million from non-league Fleetwood Town in 2012.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.