England's 'nightmare' striker Jamie Vardy will frighten defences at World Cup 2018, says Harry Maguire

The absence of Harry Kane from England duty over the next week could end up being a blessing in disguise for coach Gareth Southgate.

Without his main talisman available to start up front against Holland and Italy due to an ankle injury, Southgate will have to give more of a chance to Kane's understudies to make an impression.

As vital as Kane is to England's hopes of making an impact in Russia this summer, there is already too much resting on his shoulders.

What if the Tottenham striker suffers another injury before or during the tournament? A loss of form, as everyone witnessed in Euro 2016, shouldn't be ruled out either.

There are others who must be trusted to step into the breach or even just be part of a plan B.

As far as defender Harry Maguire is concerned, Jamie Vardy not only has what it takes to do just, but he will scare opposition defences this summer when selected.

The Leicester star is having another fine campaign. He has 17 goals, seven of which have come in the last nine matches.

It has been a year since he last found the net for England but Maguire, who is also his team-mate at the King Power Stadium, believes that run won't last much longer.

Speaking to Standard Sport, the centre half said: "I play against him in training, I see him each day, he is a nightmare to play against.

"You can ask any defender in the Premier League and they would say that he is one of the worst players to play against.

"His pace frightens people. He is so quick he causes trouble for everyone on the backline, but he works tirelessly as well. I am pleased he is on my team for club and country.

"Jamie is 31 but he looks after himself really well. He is in great form, great nick. He has definitely not lost any pace with age. If anything, he has come on stronger this season."

Despite being part of Leicester's title-winning side in 2016, there still seems a bit of snobbery as far as Vardy is concerned and whether he can make a difference against the calibre of sides England will face in Russia.

Yet his strike in the FA Cup defeat to Chelsea on Sunday was the tenth in 12 appearances against a top six club this term, while his volley at West Brom earlier this month is now a strong contender to be named the best of the season.

Maguire added: "Jamie has been playing at a very high level, especially in recent weeks. He is popping up with big goals at crucial times and been phenomenal.

"He has come to the England set-up full of confidence and I am sure he is looking forward to playing.

"We have seen over the last few years in big games, against big teams, Jamie normally scores. He has done it this year for Leicester and for England in the past as well.

"Losing Kane for these matches is a massive loss. The form he has been in for the last few seasons, has been terrific.

"Every time he plays for England he seems to score so he is a big player for us. Hopefully Harry can make a quick recovery and be back for the World Cup.

"But we have some good players coming in to replace him, we have strength and depth in the forward areas.

"This is an opportunity for Jamie. We know what he can do, he is looking forward to it and hopefully he will score some goals over the next few games."

Maguire also expects the other forwards in the camp, Marcus Rashford and Danny Welbeck, to make an impact while Kane is unavailable.

"They are both top players and have been around the England camps for a while," he said. "Marcus is a young talent with great ability - I'm sure he will have a really successful career.

"Danny is back and been playing more recently. I'm sure he will get an opportunity and start scoring goals too."

England are obviously a better side with Kane, but Southgate stands to learn a lot more without him.