Vereniki Goneva returns from injury to bolster Leicester Tigers' midfield for tomorrow's Heineken Cup visit of Montpellier to Welford Road (3.0)

The Fijian international, who has three tries to his name this season, has not played since damaging a calf muscle in the round-two bonus-point victory against Treviso in October.

He will slot in at centre alongside Dan Bowden, with Adam Thompstone switching back to the wing. Jordan Crane starts at No.8, the only change to the pack from last Friday's Premiership win at Gloucester.

Ryan Lamb and Ed Slater also return from the treatment room and will be on the replacements bench.

Slater picked up a wrist injury during the Premiership defeat by Harlequins last month, while Lamb has recovered from a hand injury.

The match is the first of head-to-head games between the sides and is vital to the hopes of both teams in this season's competition.

Flanker Julian Salvi believes Tigers have been boosted by a sequence of four wins on the run, most recently at Kingsholm.

"Momentum is massive in the scheme of things," he said. "The last two games might not have been the most entertaining brand of rugby but, for morale and the confidence of the team, they were great."

Montpellier, who are making their first trip to Welford Road, suffered defeat by pool leaders Ulster in their last Heineken match.

Paul Konchesky says it would be one of the highlights of his career if he could help Leicester City reach the Premier League.

The 32-year-old has played nearly all his career in the top flight, been capped by England and played in FA Cup finals and European competitions.

However, he said if City reach the Premier League this season it would rank right up there with all his achievements.

"Time seems to have flown by, but I have thoroughly enjoyed my career and I am still enjoying it now," he said.

"It is easier to enjoy while the team and the club are doing well, and I am feeling part of it.

"If we got promoted it would be one of the highlights of my career.

"I have never been promoted with a team because I have spent most of my career in the Premier League. It would be a highlight and, hopefully, we can achieve it.

"It would be something that would go on my list of achievements if we could do it."

Despite the defeat at Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday, City are still top of the Championship going into today's game at Brighton (3.0).

Konchesky says he believes this could finally be City's year. "I have a good vibe about this season," he said.

"A lot of people can see already what the team and the club are about this season. I think we have put our marker down and we just need to carry it on.

"December is always a tough month, no matter what club you are at.

"The games come thick and fast and, if you can come through that and be there or thereabouts afterwards, then you can look forward.

"We have had setbacks before and we have bounced back.

"Every time we have had a disappointment we have always fought back in the next game.

"If you can do that, then you have always got a chance.

"We have a great set of lads and a great team spirit. Hopefully we can get back on track today.

"It is the best team spirit I have known since I have been here.

"The manager has come in and done what he has to do and got the players he wants.

"Whoever plays and whoever is not involved, there is a real togetherness."

They say a week is a long time in politics, but it is also true in football. After the euphoria of the Millwall game it was a lovely feeling to see Leicester City sitting at the top of the table.

We have played really well to get to the top but, as well as we played last Saturday, it wasn't our night at Sheffield Wednesday.

We got off to a terrific start through Anthony Knockaert's wonderful goal and then, lo and behold, we concede two and can't get back into the game.

It just shows what this Championship is all about, and there will be even more twists and turns between now and the end of the season.

Let's hope we can bounce back at Brighton and get back to performing how we have done for most of this season.

The top six as it stands now won't change much between now and the end of the season, I believe, but there will always be a charge from someone out of the pack. It is going to be nip-and-tuck right to the end.

I know a lot of City fans like to head inside for a Bovril at half-time at our home games, but those who stayed in their seats last week would have seen Richard Page on the pitch, the City fan who is cycling to every away league game to raise money for charity.

His five-year-old son, Ellis, has MECP2 duplication syndrome, a chromosomal abnormality which causes epilepsy and restricts development, leaving the youngster unable to walk or talk. Richard has already done nine games with his two mates who are helping him and our chairman, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, has pledged to donate £1,000 for every away game, so he is well on his way to raising £23,000 just from Vichai.

What a fantastic gesture from our owners and a great early Christmas present.

It is a busy time with the hospital visits and Christmas lights switch-ons.

I switched on the lights at the Mauricare Residential Home, on Fosse Road North, on Monday. Every year I take some stick because I go along for Christmas lunch with some senior citizens.

I have been doing it for 30 years now and, yes I know, it has been pointed out officially I should be sat with them.

Finally, I would like to pay tribute to a wonderful City fan who sadly passed away.

Barbara Jelly saw her first game in 1947 against Nottingham Forest. She supported City home and away for decades and her last game was against Forest again, the recent home defeat.

She passed away aged 88 and I was honoured to attend her funeral on behalf of the club.

A judge has warned children about the dangers of internet perverts attempting to befriend them on Facebook as he jailed a predatory sex offender for 10 years.

Ian Sluggett (40) posed as either a young pop star or a teenager, using a variety of false names and photographs.

He groomed unsuspecting girls, enticing them into sending him indecent pictures of themselves.

Two of his victims, aged 15, separately agreed to meet him and had sex with him in his van on several occasions.

Sentencing at Leicester Crown Court, Judge Michael Pert QC said: "I have to deal with you for a welter of offences against a number of young girls and a repeated, cynical and deliberate course of conduct where you deceived young girls for your sexual purposes and exploited them.

"This case provides another example of the dangers posed to young people by the misuse of the internet. It's also an example of the utter folly of some young people in their attitude towards the internet.

"Young girls, in particular, form what they regard as relationships with men or boys they've never met other than through electronic media.

"They grow to trust the persona of the person they think they're dealing with.

"Girls who wouldn't dream of taking their clothes off in public proceeded to take off their clothes in front of a webcam and engaged in sex acts.

"While the other person at the end of the link might be a handsome boy, they might – and often are – an adult pervert.

"Once they have taken off their clothes they're open to blackmail and threats of exposure.

"The sort of person engaging in persuading girls to act in this way isn't interested in their welfare. Ian Sluggett is just such a predator."

Sluggett, who sent indecent pictures of himself to some of the girls, then demanded increasingly explicit photos or videos of them – threatening to make pictures of them public.

The divorced father-of-three, formerly of Browns Way, Whetstone, used numerous false names to befriend 1,808 people on Facebook and other sites, mostly young teenage girls.

He admitted 23 offences relating to six girls, aged between 13 and 15, from Melton, Rutland and Leicester.

The charges were 10 offences involving downloading indecent images of children, one of distributing an indecent image, two of meeting a child following sexual grooming, one of attempting to meet a child following grooming, two counts of sexual activity with a child, one of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, five counts of attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity and one of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

Victoria Rose, prosecuting, said the offending came to light when a teacher overheard one of the 13-year-old victims discussing the defendant.

Police discovered on his phone and computer 208 indecent images downloaded from the internet as well as photos taken of females in public.

Paul Tubb, mitigating, said Sluggett, who regretted the offending, became lonely and isolated after his marriage broke down in 2008.

Mr Tubb said his family had disowned him.

Sluggett was placed on a 15-year sexual offences prevention order – including banning unsupervised access to girls under 16.

Det Insp Richard Hiom, of Leicestershire Police Child Sexual Exploitation Team, said: "Young people need to understand there are people who will lie on social media sites to satisfy their sexual needs."

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson has been handed a boost ahead of today's trip to Brighton – by not winning the dreaded Championship manager of the month award.

It was the third consecutive month that Pearson has been shortlisted for the award, which has often been seen as a curse for the winners, with their side losing their next fixture after the announcement.

Despite City's rise to the summit of the Championship this season, Pearson has not won any of the three awards so far.

The award for November has gone to his opposite number today, Brighton's Oscar Garcia.

Brighton went the entire month unbeaten, winning three and drawing one of their four matches.

City's Lloyd Dyer was also nominated for player of the month after his superb form in November. Dyer scored twice and provided two assists in City three victories during the month, but the award went to Leeds striker Ross McCormack, who scored seven goals in November.

Pearson said regardless of who won the award, he was delighted with Dyer's contribution to City's challenge this season.

"He is well respected and liked throughout the club," said Pearson. "I think he has put in some really good performances for us and he is always an important player. He is doing well and good for him. You don't see many out-and-out wide players like him these days. I think wide players are a feature of the modern game but, from the players we have ourselves, we have different styles from the left to the right-hand side.

"I am sure full-backs don't like having to cope with the amount of pace Lloyd has.

It is quite a nice psychological weapon to have as well.

"Even when things aren't quite going how we would like them to, it gives you a slightly different dimension."

Efficiency in both penalty areas will be the key to success for Leicester City as they bid to get back to winning ways at Brighton this afternoon, manager Nigel Pearson has said.

Both City and the Seagulls suffered shock midweek defeats at the hands of strugglers Sheffield Wednesday and Barnsley respectively.

But Pearson believes the side that performs best in the two key areas of the pitch will come out on top.

City have dominated the possession stats in nearly every game this season, but face a Brighton side who also statistically keep possession well, but Pearson said it was what happens in both penalty areas which will ultimately decide the outcome.

"I am sure they will be keen to get back to their best, as we are," he said. "We want to try to win the game, it's as simple as that. To do so, we have to play better than we did on Tuesday.

"The players are looking forward to the game and it is important we get out there and do what we can to win.

"It will be an interesting game. Ultimately, the game is about what you do in both boxes.

"When we haven't done well it is normally because we have either conceded poor goals or not taken our chances. Regardless of the type of game it is, in terms of tempo or style of play, ultimately it is about being efficient in both penalty areas.

"I think in the Championship this season there is more attractive football and a lot of sides who do play a passing game, but it is about getting the most positive results.

"It is not all about being easy on the eye. Our players have managed the ball very well and, when we haven't, we have still managed to win a few games."

Although Spaniard Oscar Garcia is now in charge at the Amex Stadium, Pearson does not believe the Seagulls have changed their approach from when Gus Poyet was in charge last season before his departure.

However, Pearson said the most important thing was how City performed. "They haven't changed massively," added Pearson. "I am sure he will have his own ideas about how they play but it is a familiar formation."

Brighton boss Garcia believes his side are facing their toughest test of the season.

"Leicester are a really good team on the counter-attack and so far they have been the best team in the league," he said. "It will be a very difficult game for us."

Hollywood heartthrob Richard Armitage has donated signed artwork sent in by fans to a charity auction raising money for Loros hospice.

The 42-year-old Huncote actor, who stars as Thorin in The Hobbit, is one of several Leicestershire celebrities who have donated items for a fund-raiser in aid of the charity.

The Hanson Haul Christmas Shopping Fayre takes place at the Old Library, in Belvoir Street, Leicester, tomorrow.

Organiser Libby Burke said: "Richard has very kindly donated one framed piece of artwork as Thorin, along with an unsigned drawing of him as Thorin, both sent by fans.

"He has also given us a signed photograph for our silent auction."

Other contributions include a signed book from Rosemary Conley, two signed Showaddywaddy drum skins and a signed album from Leicester singer-songwriter Jersey Budd.

Leicester City FC has donated a stadium tour for four.

The fair will also feature a visit from Santa, face painting, music, a raffle and stalls.

Libby said: "I wanted to bring the community together to support a fantastic local cause."

Entry to the fair, which takes place from 11am to 4.30pm, is free.

Traders on Leicester Market are supporting today's first Small Business Saturday.

Yesterday they were joined by Leicester MPs Liz Kendall and Jon Ashworth who served customers looking for bargains.

Vicki Morris, who has run a fruit and vegetable stall on the market for 27 years, said: "I welcome support from our MPs as running a stall is an ideal way for people to get involved in business.

"We have seen many Leicester people start on the market and develop large concerns.

"We also provide value for money and a wide range of commodities from a variety of stores."

Small Business Saturday began in America three years ago to help small firms survive competition from bigger rivals.

The initiative has the backing of the Prime Minister, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), the British Chambers of Commerce and the Association of Convenience Stores.

Vicki said: "I am pleased what we provide the community is being recognised.

"We also help supply supermarkets when they do not receive deliveries."

Oadby couple Robert and Alice Rendall, both 91, make regular trips to the market to buy their fruit and veg.

Robert said: "The quality and value for money is better at Leicester Market than in the supermarkets.

"We shop around the market stalls to find the best offers and have been doing so since 1967."

Ms Kendall said: "Our city has the largest and finest market of its type in Europe, with a history that stretches back over 700 years.

"Traders here are getting the backing they need from Labour locally with a £7 million investment plan for Leicester Market.

"You can also do your bit by remembering to buy local as we celebrate the huge contribution of Leicester firms on Small Business Saturday."

Mr Ashworth said: "There are key hubs of small business in Leicester and it's important to recognise the value they bring to our economy.

"Small businesses offer a livelihood to so many people, and that's why it's essential for any Government to support the work of small businesses."

Maxine Aldred, of FSB's Leicestershire branch, said: "It is a really important message that we need to support small businesses.

"A lot of the focus is on independent retailers, but it's not just about shops but small businesses as a whole.

"We also need to ensure businesses are supporting one another."

Events taking place today in Leicester include Makers Mart, a contemporary arts, craft and design fair at Curve, from noon to 6pm.

Students at two schools have been wowing audiences with performances of their contemporary nativity.

Youngsters at Fleckney Church of England Primary and Leicester High School for Girls put on separate performances of A Midwife Crisis for parents, family and friends earlier this week.

The play tells the tale of a midwife and her sidekick donkey – named Steve by Fleckney Primary and Doris by Leicester High – who go in search of Jesus to help with his birth.

More than 50 youngsters aged three to seven took part in Leicester High School's performance.

Laura Fowler, head of the Junior School, said: "It was absolutely astounding, the best nativity we've ever put on.

"We've been rehearsing since half term and the parents can't believe that pupils so young can produce something so demanding."

At Fleckney Primary, more than 100 youngsters took part in the show, with a different cast on each day so all of the children had a part.

Helen Baum, key stage one coordinator at the school, said: "The children were fantastic, they sang their hearts out and parents were amazed that they all learnt their lines and the songs.

"We've been rehearsing for the past couple of weeks and it has been a whole team effort."

A charity calendar backed by three Tigers has been released.

A Rugby For Heroes 2014 calendar, 'The Hand of Friendship'' will raise funds to assist members of the armed forces to re-train in civilian life following their return from deployment overseas.

Leicester trio Anthony Allen, Ryan Lamb and Jordan Crane have all been involved in fund-raising for the organisation since its formation, with Lamb's father, Alan, pivotal to the charity's efforts. "Through the sport of rugby and the local rugby communities, we are helping to support our military servicemen and women who make the sometimes difficult transition to civilian life after serving in the military," he said. The money raised from each sale will help make a real difference."

The calendar, with Tigers stars featured in May, can be bought for £9.99 from:

www.rugbyforheroes.org.uk

A poet has joined forces with Queen guitarist Brian May to fight the Government's plans to cull the country's badgers.

Richard Bonfield, 54, from Wigston, wrote the poem, The Badger, after being approached by actress and founder of the Born Free Foundation, Virginia McKenna.

She asked him to compose the verse for Brian May, a strong opponent of plans to kill thousands of badgers, in order to stop the spread of bovine tuberculosis.

The wildlife campaigner then presented the piece to her friend, Brian, as an early Christmas present.

The poem was filmed at Brian's recording studio at his home in West Sussex and uploaded to YouTube – amassing more than 3,700 views so far – and the Save-Me.org.uk website, which is dedicated to fighting the cull.

The rocker also composed a simple backing track for the poem.

Speaking to the Mercury yesterday, Brian said: "The poem is all part of our fight.

"Awareness is the key and if it raises some interest and gets people's attention focused on stopping the killing of badgers then it's achieved its goal."

Richard said it took about a month to write, and he was inspired by a wildlife book by Chris Ferris, called The Darkness is Light Enough.

"It's a wonderful book," he said.

"It really opened my eyes to what was going on in the British countryside.

"It makes me feel very proud to be part of the fight against the cull. I've always wanted to be in the position to help the natural world."

Brian said: "I was very moved when I read it.

"I thought it was lovely and then when I heard Virginia reciting the poem, it took on a whole new meaning for me.

"As soon as she did her first take, I was choked up."

The Save Me campaign is aiming to raise £2 million to pay for vaccines for the country's badger population, rather than allowing the Government to carry out a mass cull.

Brian has vigorously campaigned against proposals to euthanise a small section of the UK's badgers and earlier this year managed to get more than 300,000 signatures in opposition of the plans.

He said: "Animals have a value in themselves, but people seem to think along the lines of what use are they to me, or how can they make me money?

"I'm aghast they've got away with it for so long and this is our attempt to find a valuable alternative. We need to raise the money in order to be able to pay for the vaccines and raise awareness of what's going on."

It was 50 years ago that Christine Glover began her career in nursing.

But the 67-year-old has no intention of retiring.

Christine, from Syston, said: "I had wanted to be an air hostess but I couldn't speak French and decided to go into nursing.

"I began my training at Leicester Royal Infirmary and have been there ever since."

Christine has seen many changes in the job over the years.

She said: "We had to live in for the first 18 months and had to be in by 10pm, and if you wanted to get married you had to go and see matron.

"One of the biggest changes has been the extended role of nurses.

"They are almost doing the job of junior doctors but the only downside is I think some of the basics of nursing and caring for patients have been lost."

For 35 years, Christine has worked in the haematology and bone marrow transplant wards at the infirmary.

She said: "It is a fantastic team and I have no intention of retiring at the moment."