Leicester City star Jamie Vardy has provided Coventry City defender Sam McCallum with some important advice after seeing the young prospect get snapped up by Premier League Norwich City back in January.
The 19-year-old full back had previously been on the books of the Sky Blues for two seasons after joining as a graduate of Vardy's 'V9' Academy.
McCallum's strong showings over the past few seasons for the Midlands club unsurprisingly raised a few eyebrows and as a result the teenager was signed by Norwich last month before being immediately loaned back to Mark Robins at the St Andrew's Stadium for the rest of the current campaign.
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After the defender completed his move to Carrow Road, he received a FaceTime call from the former England striker, with McCallum commenting about the fitness aspect of playing professionally being tough, before Vardy responded with this advice during a conversation between the two on Sky Sports News:
"That will come with time and training.
"It is a big jump, I admit.
"I took a full season to get used to it. But once you are used to it, and you're in that routine of the training sessions, to boost your power and your endurance, it gets so much easier."
McCallum has been almost ever present for the Sky Blues this term, playing a part in 28 games across all competitions whilst contributing three goals and one assist from his role as left wing back this campaign.
The Verdict
The young defender will now be seeking to finish the season strongly ahead of making his return to his new club next term, with his form for the Sky Blues sure to determine how heavily he will feature in Daniel Farke's plans for the next season.
The trajectory in which McCallum has risen through the levels since graduating from Vardy's academy has been nothing short of brilliant and he will be keen to prove once again that he is capable of adapting to the gulf in quality between the League One and the Premier League at Carrow Road.
Meanwhile, the youngster will no doubt have one eye on his side's weekend clash with Rochdale as they seek to make it five wins on the bounce in League One on Saturday.