Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri believes Jamie Vardy will be fit for the start of next season, despite the striker needing an operation on his wrist this summer.
Vardy is expected to be included in Roy Hodgson's England squad for the upcoming European Championship, and will undergo surgery in July after the tournament in France.
The Foxes' top scorer -- who picked up the Football Writers' Player of the Season and Premier League Player of the Season awards this week -- broke his wrist against Aston Villa in September and has worn a blue cast on his right arm during games to avoid any further damage as Leicester romped to the Premier League title.
BREAKING: #lcfc striker @vardy7 named @premierleague Player of the Season. More follows...
Well done, Jamie! pic.twitter.com/mbTyVKwohs
- Leicester City (@LCFC) May 13, 2016
But Ranieri expects the 29-year-old to be available after his operation in time for the Community Shield against the FA Cup winners -- either Manchester United or Crystal Palace -- in August.
"I think it's a little operation, then I think he'll be ready," Ranieri said. "He has been amazing. It tells all the other non-league players, 'hey, come on, this is a good sport, good publicity for everyone. Everyone can make mistakes but if you want to do something you must believe and something can happen.'"
Leicester are 10 points clear at the top of the table and go to Chelsea, Ranieri's former club, for their final game on Sunday.
And Ranieri, 64, admits his return to Stamford Bridge as a league champion will be emotional, with the hosts expected to give the Foxes a guard of honour.
"It's amazing," Ranieri said. "I have been there with Juventus in the Champions League, but this time it is different because I am manager of Leicester, another English club. It is emotional. I hope my older fans are happy with me.
"When I think of something special I think of 'Nessun Dorma' and when I came here I saw the last match is at Chelsea, wow, and now I come back as a champion. It's a good story."
Midfielder Danny Drinkwater is available after suspension, but defender Robert Huth serves the second match of his three-game ban.