Jamie Vardy has been told by Roy Hodgson to be thankful for his place in the England squad and not to push his luck by demanding to play centre forward.

Vardy is the hottest striker in the country with 11 Barclays Premier League goals and has scored in eight successive games, two short of Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record.

Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri is certain his best position is playing ‘free’ through the middle. ‘When he’s free, he’s amazing,’ said Ranieri, but England prefer to use Vardy’s pace, aggression and energy on the left, to accommodate Wayne Rooney and/or Harry Kane in the centre.

Jamie Vardy takes part in training ahead of Leicester's game with Watford at the weekend

Vardy has been included in Roy Hodgson's England squad for the upcoming games with Spain and France

ENGLAND SQUAD FOR GAMES WITH SPAIN AND FRANCE Goalkeepers: Jack Butland (Stoke), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley) Defenders: Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Kieran Gibbs (Arsenal), Phil Jones (Manchester United), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Everton), Kyle Walker (Tottenham) Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Ross Barkley (Everton), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Fabian Delph (Manchester City), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Liverpool), Jonjo Shelvey (Swansea), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Jamie Vardy (Leicester) Advertisement

Hodgson said: ‘When you have only played two games, you’re in no position to go to the coach and say, “I will play for England but only in this position”. An England shirt is a valuable commodity.

‘The player everyone is interested in can be fleeting. When I pick a squad, I don’t pick them on what the mass media or social media say. I pick them on their abilities and what they can do for England.’

Vardy was playing non-League football for Fleetwood three years ago and the 28-year-old has made astonishing progress. He has four caps, and featured in three of England’s last four games, always on the left of a three-man attack.

‘We believe in Jamie Vardy,’ said Hodgson. ‘When we selected him, I don’t think there were a lot of people saying, “Fantastic, that’s a great idea, Jamie Vardy is the obvious man”. Now there are.

‘He’s the top goalscorer and has a record at his fingertips. We think he’s a very good player and hope he continues. But Jamie has only played a couple of games from the start. He should be happy at the moment a) to be in the squad and b) even happier if he makes the team. Whether he plays from the start — down the centre or from left or right — we can wait and see.’

Leicester striker Vardy has won four caps for England since making his debut in June

Claudio Ranieri spoke favourably of Vardy in his press conference ahead of the Watford game

England manager Roy Hodgson insists Jamie Vardy should just be happy to be in the squad

Having qualified for Euro 2016 with 10 wins from 10, Hodgson selected a squad of 23 for friendlies against Spain and France. There was a first call-up for Tottenham’s Eric Dier, who has been converted from defence to a holding midfield role this season, and another call for Dele Alli, although both are eligible for the Under 21s.

England lack options in deep midfield and Hodgson aired the idea of Phil Jones in this position and said 21-year-old Everton defender John Stones might also be capable of playing there.

The decision to omit Andros Townsend was taken before the winger had been dropped from Tottenham’s squad after a public row with one of their medical team. And Hodgson did not consider Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish because there is still no clearance from FIFA to ratify his decision to change allegiance from the Republic of Ireland.

The England boss also backed the FA’s plan to play friendlies next year in the north, with Manchester’s Old Trafford and Sunderland’s Stadium of Light among those under consideration.