Peter Taylor hopes the performance from Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy can be an inspiration for his young hopefuls.

Former Fleetwood Town striker Vardy helped inspire a memorable fightback for Leicester, on his first Premier League start, coming from 3-1 down to beat Louis van Gaal’s Manchester United 5-3.

Vardy scored to put Leicester 4-3 up and then won the penalty that led to Tyler Blackett’s dismissal for United and a goal from the spot for Leonardo Ulloa.

Just three years earlier Vardy scored for Fleetwood in a 3-1 win over Ebbsfleet United in the Conference at Stonebridge Road.

Former City boss Taylor said: “He played against Dover and Ebbsfleet for Fleetwood and he has shown what is capable with a bit of hard work.

“If you are willing to work as hard as that you always have a chance.”

And Taylor will be hoping his players can replicate that energy when they face a daunting task themselves this weekend, with a trip to Sheffield United.

“We have to work as hard as Leicester did on Sunday; they were unbelievable,” he said.

“We’ve got to work as hard as what Vardy did.”

Sunday’s win catapulted Leicester up to seventh place in the Premier League table.

Not since the early part of Taylor’s reign with Leicester, back in the 2000/01 season, have they enjoyed those dizzy heights.

And the former boss, who left the Gills for City in 2000, was thrilled by Sunday’s result.

“I was delighted for Leicester City,” said Taylor, who guided the side to the top of the Premier League 14 years ago, before a run of defeats at the end of the season saw them finish 13th.

“I thought it was fantastic how they played and to come back from 3-1 was unbelievable.”

Taylor has young players of his own hoping to make it big. The likes of young striker Luke Norris signed in the summer, hoping a move to Gillingham would ignite their career.

Norris is a player Taylor expects big things from.

He said: “I think he is going to be a very good player. I am not just saying that because I have signed him.

“If people were to see what I do in the daytime (they would see) he is a very good finisher, he wants to score goals so he is going to be in the right areas, but he just needs more football.”