Leicester City have new Jamie Vardy headache now: View | OneFootball

Aged 37 years old and with his contract expiring this summer, the natural assumption would be that Jamie Vardy's time at Leicester City was drawing to a close.

Vardy, however, is no ordinary player and his contributions to Leicester's Championship title charge during this campaign has left many wondering whether there is still a role for him to play at the King Power Stadium beyond this season.

His senior position in the squad has seen him captain the side on numerous occasions this season and, having been at the club for almost 12 years now, he provides the perfect link between the Foxes' most successful period in their history and the present-day predicament they find themselves in.

He has already firmly etched his name into the Leicester history books, but recent showings seem to suggest he is not quite done writing his story just yet.

Vardy has been a real asset this season

Far from being a sentimental inclusion this season based on previous achievements, Vardy has been crucial in much of what have achieved this season and, despite not being in the starting XI every week, has provided a substantial number of crucial goals and key performances.

This was on display on Tuesday night in a crunch promotion clash with Southampton, where Vardy led the line, created the most chances on the night and chipped in with a goal and an assist.

It was a showing that was only overshadowed by the hat-trick and assist from young winger Adbul Fatawu, on loan from Sporting CP, who is 17 years Vardy's junior.

Across the season so far, Vardy has scored 16 goals and provided two assists in 33 league appearances, 16 of which were starts, and that is despite facing spells on the sideline through injury.

Even if he is no longer a weekly feature in the starting line-up, it is clear that the 37-year-old is playing a key role and could still contribute beyond the summer.

Vardy's experience could be key

From making the jump from non-league football to Leicester and then rising to become a Premier League and FA Cup champion, Vardy is no stranger to adjusting to a new level of football.

The Foxes' current position in the second-tier league table appears to put them in prime place to bounce back into the top flight, potentially picking up the Championship title in the process.

Vardy's extensive experience, having made this jump before with Leicester, could be very useful if the East Midlands side are to cope with the transition and avoid relegation next term.

Not only will his leadership and track record be necessary, but he has also proven this season that he is still every bit the lethal striker he always has been and could still be a key outlet if he has the right attacking stablemates around him in the squad.

Vardy not ready to hang up his boots just yet

The case for keeping Vardy on is clear, but it is made even stronger by the fact that reports suggest the former England international does not see his career drawing to a close just yet.

It was reported by the Daily Mail that his ambition is to see his career extend into his 40s, whether that is with Leicester or elsewhere, with the suggestion being that a stint in the United States has interested Vardy for some time.

He shows no signs of slowing down or looking for a route out of the game, is adored at the King Power and can still contribute heavily to the side both on and off the pitch.

It may not have been the intention at the start of this season, and with Vardy estimated to be Leicester's highest earner by some distance, on £140,000 per week, it would likely not come cheap, but as the end of the season and the expiry of his contract approaches, it seems to make increasing sense to extend his stay by another year if the financial backdrop allows.

One way or another, a decision will need to be made this summer over his future, and it will be interesting to see how Enzo Maresca and his team deal with the Vardy-induced headache his recent performances have handed to them.