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Drug dealer jailed for more than six years

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A dealer who continued to sell heroin on the streets after being caught with £320 worth of drugs was jailed for more than six years.

Jamil Ahmed Guljar (24) became involved in the drugs trade to fund his own use of crack-cocaine and cannabis.

He was also prosecuted for assaulting his then girlfriend, by slapping her across the face, causing a black eye.

Leicester Crown Court was told police executed a search warrant at his home in Toothill Road, Loughborough, on March 3 last year.

Alan Murphy, prosecuting, said: "He was present when the officers arrived and pointed out where drugs were in his bedroom."

There was a cling film wrap containing 6.59 grams of heroin with a street value of £320, a 0.79 gram wrap of M-Cat and a set of scales with traces of heroin, cocaine, cannabis and cutting agents on them.

Officers also seized £330 cash, which was confiscated by the court.

Mr Murphy said: "He also put £1,500 into his bank account the previous month which was drugs related."

Text messages on his mobile phone contained references to dealing activities.

He was re-interviewed about the text messages on August 6 last year, before being re-released on bail.

Mr Murphy said: "The next day, August 7, a police officer saw him carrying out a drugs transaction near his home."

He was arrested and found to have dropped four street deals of heroin.

A further wrap of heroin was at his home, along with £55 in cash, confiscated by the court.

On October 26, during an argument with his then girlfriend in the city centre, he slapped her across the face, causing a bruised eye.

Judge Philip Head told Guljar: "You have a bad record for violence but no previous convictions for drugs.

"The next day after police interview, you were observed dealing again. Also, while on bail, you assaulted your girlfriend when you were drunk."

Guljar was made the subject of a three-year restraining order, banning him from contacting his ex-girlfriend.

He pleaded guilty to common assault, two counts of possessing heroin with intent to supply it and possession of M-Cat.

He also admitted being concerned in supplying cocaine and cannabis, between February 6 and March 7.

Simon Warlock, mitigating, said the assault on his former partner was down to possessiveness on both sides.

He said Guljar was dealing in drugs to fund his own use, which was costing him up to £100 a day.

He was jailed for five years and 11 months for the drugs offences, to run consecutively with a two-month sentence for common assault.

Drug dealer jailed for more than six years


Afghan war veteran Chris Middleton aiming to be world's first double amputee diving instructor

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An Afghan war veteran who lost his legs in a bomb blast is beating overwhelming odds to train for a world first.

Chris Middleton, of Syston, is hoping to become the first double amputee diving instructor.

Chris lost his left leg above the knee and the right one below it in a roadside bombing in Helmand in 2011, nine days before his 21st birthday.

He said swimming underwater made him feel like he was "normal again" and able to do everything an able-bodied person can do.

Chris, now 23, was discharged from his regiment, the Scots Dragoon Guards, last week .

He is looking forward to the future thanks to the charity Deptherapy, which helps to rehabilitate badly injured British armed services personnel through scuba diving.

It trains them, in a pool and then open water.

Chris, whose home was burgled while he was being treated at Headley Court military rehabilitation centre, in Surrey, in July, said: "I was injured in the August of 2011 and I did my first dive in March 2012, at Key Largo, in Florida.

"It means I can feel like I'm normal again. Under water, you are weightless and I could do everything an able-bodied person could do. It let me forget about my injury.

"I've been in Egypt, where I'm working on getting my certificates to dive deeper."

On his latest trip, Chris completed his Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) deep course.

He said: "I'm doing my deep speciality diver training now at a depth of about 40m.

"It's quite deep and cold down there and you can't see a lot.

"I want to become the first double amputee instructor, teaching people like me how to scuba dive all over the world."

Chris said he found out about Deptherapy through a friend of his dad.

The charity said research showed scuba diving helped people with the most serious physical injuries and was particularly successful in reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury.

Chris said: "I finished with the Scots Dragoon Guards on Friday, August 8. I have mixed emotions. I will miss things about the Army, but I have to look forward to new things in life, like my diving."

Dr Richard Cullen, of Deptherapy, said: "Chris is an amazing young man.

"Understanding how hard it is for Chris to meet the skills standards, given that he does not have legs and thus cannot wear fins, is amazing.

"He is one of the charity's ambassadors and when we created the new Deptherapy and Deptherapy Education charity, he became a trustee.

"He does a tremendous amount of work for the charity in recruiting other injured troops on to our programme.

"He always turns up when we are running Deptherapy Education Pros Courses, where we teach diving instructors to teach adaptive skills to disabled people who wish to dive.

"He talks to the students about his experiences and then is in the pool so they can practice.

"Deptherapy has allowed Chris to realise his potential that he could dive just as well as he would have done had he had two legs."

Chris said: "Deptherapy and Richard Cullen have made me the man I am today. I mean every word of that."

For more on the charity, see:

www.deptherapy.co.uk

Afghan war veteran Chris Middleton aiming to be world's first double amputee diving instructor

Everton boss Roberto Martinez not taking Leicester City lightly

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Their pre-season friendly in Thailand may not have revealed too much to help either team ahead of today's season-opener between Leicester City and Everton.

But for Toffees boss Roberto Martinez, it did demonstrate that City should not be taken lightly.

Both sides played mixed teams in Bangkok as City ran out 1-0 winners early in pre-season.

Martinez and City boss Nigel Pearson have both insisted they could not take too much away from that encounter in terms of how each side will shape up this afternoon.

However, Martinez said the one thing he could draw from that experience was that City are riding high following their Championship title success and are not to be taken lightly this afternoon.

"We learned that Leicester are a team full of confidence, belief and have got a winning mentality that they have developed over the last two seasons which allowed them to get promotion," said Martinez.

"I don't think there will be any surprises with them. We are facing a team with incredible energy and enthusiasm, and we have to match that on the day and make sure we don't get punished.

"Another aspect will be playing away from home against a newly-promoted side.

"We know we will have to be at our best and there are no easy games or places to go Premier League, and we don't expect anything different today."

Having finished fifth last season, the expectation will be high around Goodison Park that Everton can again push for a top-four spot this season.

More than 3,300 Everton fans are expected inside the King Power Stadium and Martinez said he shares their anticipation.

"On the Monday in the week leading up to the new season there is always a special feeling and we had that," he said. "I know the fans are very excited and I can feel that.

"It's going to be difficult but I do feel that, when we are all together, we are a special football club."

Full-back Seamus Coleman is expected to be fit to face City after injury, but record signing Romelu Lukaku and Kevin Mirallas are expected to start on the substitutes' bench having joined pre-season late following their World Cup exploits.

Everton boss Roberto Martinez not taking Leicester City lightly

Picture of the Day: Leicester vs Everton

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It's back - hurrah.

After a break of two months, the football season returns today - and Leicester City are back where they belong.

After a 10 year hiatus, City are back in the Premier League. It's good to be back

They open their account in the top flight with a home game against Everton.

Picture of the Day: Leicester vs Everton

Smith returning to action after serious race accident

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Loughborough University student Rob Smith has confirmed he will contest the remainder of the Mini Challenge UK season, beginning with the race meeting at Silverstone this weekend.

Following the 22-year-old's car-destroying accident in the Renault UK Clio Cup at Oulton Park in June, which led to him missing two weekends of racing, any realistic hopes of mounting a top-three series bid in the British Touring Car Championship support category were lost. Having already agreed a deal with Pirelli to compete in three Mini Challenge UK events, Smith has now elected to focus on the Mini series for the remainder of the 2014 season rather than returning to the Clio Cup.

"The Clio was a write-off at Oulton," said Smith. "Despite having finished on the podium at the first round, missing two full events, coupled with the cost of replacing the car, effectively meant any hopes of a decent finish in the championship were over.

"Pirelli put a deal together with us for three Mini events anyway, so we're turning our attention to that."

Smith is already a podium finisher in the Mini series having impressed during a one-off outing at Donington Park last September, where he achieved third place in the headline JCW Class with the Excelr8 Motorsport team.

Dipping his toe back into the water with the Long Stratton squad during the Mini rounds at Oulton Park last month, his first competitive action since his massive accident at the Cheshire track, Smith secured a best result of fifth position.

After a rollercoaster few months, he is now looking forward to some consistently strong races at Silverstone and then during the championship finale at Brands Hatch on September 13-14.

Smith will then have to decide where his attention lies for 2015.

He said: "Looking ahead to next year, I am keeping my options open and the Clio Cup is unfinished business for us.

"The new Mini, though, and the plans for the Mini Challenge, look very exciting so it's something we have to consider as well."

Qualifying starts at Silverstone today at 11.50, with the first race following at 3.45.

Race two begins at 12.50 tomorrow, with race three at 4.20.

Smith returning to action after serious race accident

Bowler claims nine wickets for just 13

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Karl Tew went close to claiming any bowler's dream figures last weekend.

The 42-year-old took nine wickets for 13 runs for Melton Mowbray in a crushing Everards League victory over Thorpe Arnold seconds.

But any disappointment at missing out on all 10 was tempered by the fact that he has already achieved the feat – when he was playing in Nottinghamshire 16 years ago.

This time he took only 9.1 overs to run through the opposition line-up after Melton won the toss and put Thorpe in. Tew, a right-arm opening bowler, claimed the first two wickets.

For a time, he did not realise the extent of his success.

He said: "I took two in two balls three times and, when I looked up at the scoreboard and saw they were nine down, I realised I'd taken eight."

Tew's performance meant Thorpe were all out for 45 and Melton galloped to a 10-wicket win that keeps them top of Division Four East.

Speedway: Resurgent Lions going for fourth home win on trot

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Leicester Lions chase a fourth consecutive win at the Jordan Road Surfacing Stadium tonight with the visit of Lakeside Hammers (7.30).

The last time the two clubs met at Leicester was in April and, on that occasion, the Lions came out on top 48-41.

The Rapid Solicitors Lions have shown a marked improvement in results following the arrival of Nicolai Klindt and Krzysztof Buczkowski, with home wins against Belle Vue, Eastbourne and Wolverhampton together with a point taken in their previous two away fixtures, at King's Lynn and Swindon.

"We are expecting another tight finish against Lakeside, who are challenging for a place in the play-offs," said Lions team manager Norrie Allan.

"They need the points to maintain their position in the top four, and we want to build upon our recent good run of form."

Lakeside have secured a play-off place four times in the last six years, but have only once advanced beyond the semi-final stage, in 2008, only to lose in the final against Poole Pirates.

Lions welcome back Simon Stead for tonight's clash in one of two changes to the team that beat Wolves 47-45 last Saturday.

Stead missed the win because he was representing Sheffield at Berwick, while Tom Perry is the guest rider in place of Swindon's Nathan Greaves.

"We are still without Josh Bates, who crashed while riding for Sheffield last week which left him with concussion," said Allan.

"I have asked Tom Perry to guest for us on Saturday, but we welcome back Simon Stead, who has missed our last three matches due to his commitments in the Premier League."

The Hammers are forced into two changes as Mikkel Bech, their teenage Danish rider, suffered a wrist injury at the weekend when mountain-biking, while Adam Ellis is required by his Premier League club Ipswich Witches, who have a fixture at Rye House.

In their place, the Essex club have named Rory Schlein as replacement, and Joe Jacobs, who scored 10 plus three bonus points for Wolves at Leicester last week, comes in at No.6.

Leicester: 1 Jason Doyle, 2 Simon Stead, 3 Mads Korneliussen, 4 Nicolai Klindt, 5 Krzysztof Buczkowski, 6 Max Clegg, 7 Tom Perry.

Lakeside: 1 Davey Watt, 2 Richard Lawson, 3 Lewis Bridger, 4 Kim Nilsson, 5 Rory Schlein, 6 Joe Jacobs, 7 Ben Morley.

Speedway: Resurgent  Lions going  for fourth home win on trot

Athletics: Douglas returns to win parkrun

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James Douglas returned to Braunstone Park for the first time in almost three months to record his seventh win.

The Charnwood man, making his 17th appearance, ran home in 16min 45sec to seal his 16th top-three finish.

Beaumont's Steve Gibson, also a previous winner, took second in 17.49 on his 50th appearance.

He was one of three runners marking their half-century of runs at the weekend, with clubmate Danni Mayes and Wigston Phoenix's Nicky Whitehead completing their landmark appearances in 22.55 and 18.53 respectively.

Two-time winner Gary Hawksley, of West End Runners, was third in 18.25.

Wreake's Fern Harrison, third last week on her parkrun debut, crossed the line in 20.48 to take the women's crown, just two-seconds ahead of four-time winner Sarah Lee.

Hannah Askham, a winner in October, took the third podium place, running home in 21.54.

Charnwood's Jack Douglas recorded a personal-best time of 19.10 to seal first place in the under-15s.

The 200th parkrun will be taking place at Braunstone today.

All parkruns begin at 9am in front of the old stable block on the park.

It is free to enter, but first-time runners must register online beforehand at:

www.parkrun.org.uk


Hinckley Netball Club keen for new players

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Hinckley Netball Club juniors have resumed their training and are keen to recruit new players.

Girls, aged 11 to 16, are welcome to attend training sessions at the club's new courts at Hinckley RFC, on Leicester Road.

They can learn new skills and drills, and will compete in the Coventry & Warwickshire League.

Sessions take place on Thursday evenings, from 6.30-7.30pm and also from 7.15-8.30pm.

For more information, visit:

www.hinckleyladies netball.co.uk

Leicester City have third bid rejected for Watford captain Troy Deeney

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Leicester City have had a third bid for Watford striker Troy Deeney rejected.

City are believed to have offered £10 million rising to £12 million, which would have broken their transfer record for the second time this summer.

However, Watford are adamant that their captain is not for sale at any price.

City will now have to look to alternative targets because of the Hornets' strong stance.

City remain in contention to sign Argentine midfielder Esteban Cambiasso.

Cannabis factory found in house in Grace Road, Leicester

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Police found a cannabis factory in a terraced house this morning.

It is believed officers were called out some time between 1.30am and 2am to the house in Grace Road, Aylestone, Leicester, after the front window of the property was smashed.

When the police arrived, they discovered the house was being used to grow large quantities of cannabis.

At noon today, a number of officers were busy bagging the cannabis plants, which could been seen through the front window of the house, and dismantling sophisticated growing equipment which had been set up throughout the property.

The downstairs double-glazed front window was smashed open and a very strong smell of cannabis filled the air.

Claire Fryer is landlady of the Cricketers Arms, which is across the road from the house where the cannabis was found.

She said she heard a loud smashing sound at about 1.30am to 2am this morning.

"I had just fallen asleep so was not sure what it was," she said.

"I looked out of the window and saw a car come into our car park then drive off.

"I heard the sound of someone sweeping up smashed glass, so I assumed either a window had been broken or there had been a car crash."

Claire said she thought no more about it until a customer told her a cannabis factory had been found in the house.

She said: "It is a total shock to all of us. I just can't believe we have this on our own doorstep.

"I think the police were called out after the window went in and discovered all the cannabis when they arrived."

Her husband, Alex, said a few customers had noticed a smell of cannabis in the street recently.

He said: "Over the last few months, customers have commented on a smell, but we all just thought it was probably kids smoking in the street."

Yvette Loakes, who lives just a few doors down from the house where the cannabis was found, said she was "gobsmacked" a cannabis factory had been found in her street.

The 60-year-old said: "I can't believe what has been happening in the street just yards away from my front door.

"I didn't think anyone was living there.

"You hear of this sort of thing and see it on the telly, but you never expect to see it happening down the road."

A police officer at the scene said: "I can confirm that we were called out in the early hours of the morning.

"We are in the process if trying to identify who owns the property and who, if anyone, lives here."

To stay up-to-date with crime stories, visit our crime channel.

Cannabis factory found in house in Grace Road, Leicester

Firefighters tackle kitchen fire at house in Evesham Road, Rowley Fields, Leicester

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Firefighters were today called out to tackle a fire in a kitchen at a house.

Two crews were called out at 2.44pm to a house in Evesham Road, Rowley Fields, Leicester.

The male occupant of the house, who had got out of the property before the fire crews from Central arrived, was being treated by an ambulance crew.

The cause of the blaze is not yet known, the damage is not yet known.

Firefighters tackle kitchen fire at house in Evesham Road, Rowley Fields, Leicester

Residents flee loft blaze at house in Queens Road, Blaby

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People had to leave their homes early this morning after a fire broke out in a loft.

The blaze, at a property in Queens Road, Blaby, began shortly after 7am.

Four fire crews attended the incident, and ripped off roof tiles to get to the source of the fire.

Queens Road resident Trish Ndabananiye told the Mercury how she was woken by her next-door neighbour knocking loudly on her front door.

The 53-year-old said: "When I opened the door, it was my neighbour telling me that his loft was on fire and that I should get out of the house.

"My 20-year-old son and two of his friends were here, so we all got dressed very quickly and went into the street.

"The firefighters were there almost as soon as we got out and they set about tackling the fire.

"They were really efficient and it was good to see them putting out the flames.

"I am just glad that nobody was hurt."

Neighbour Chris Clark told how he was also urged to get out of his house.

The 72-year-old said: "I was in bed when I heard someone at the front door.

"I went down and saw it was my next-door neighbour. He told me that his loft was on fire and that I should get out of my house as soon as possible.

"When I got out on the street, there were other neighbours out there and the firefighters set about the blaze.

"Four firefighters with breathing apparatus went into the house.

"Other firefighters ripped roof tiles off the neighbour's house so they could get to the fire.

"They did a good job because they stopped the fire spreading to either my house or the one belonging to the lady next door the other side."

A fire service spokeswoman said that crews from Southern, Wigston and Central fire stations attended the blaze, as well as the aerial ladder platform unit from Central station.

Nobody was hurt in the incident.

The cause of the blaze has not yet been established. No information has been released about the extent of the damage.

Residents flee loft blaze at house in Queens Road, Blaby

Leicester City fans go home happy after four goal thriller againt Premier League heavyweights Everton

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Leicester City fans went home happy today after a well-earned draw with Premier League high-flyers Everton.

The Foxes faithful were in a positive mood after a late goal from Kiwi striker Chris Wood clinched a 2-2 draw.

The game, which was watched by a sellout crowd of 36,603, was City's first match in the top flight for a decade.

Kerry Thomson, of Beaumont Leys, who has been a season ticket holder for 28 years, was delighted with the point and the performance.

Speaking to the Mercury at the ground after the match, the 47-year-old said: "That was a good result against a very good team who came fifth last year in this league.

"Everton have been tipped by many to finish in the top four so it bodes well for us this season."

Luke Thomson, of Beaumont Leys, said he could not wait for City to get stuck into the big clubs.

He said: "We've got Chelsea away which will be a tough one then we have got Arsenal here.

"It all starts now - bring on the Gunners."

Seven-year-old fan Sienna Hudson, of Beaumont Leys, who was at the game with the Thomsons, said she was looking forward to seeing more games at the King Power stadium.

She said: "I think Leicester are really good. David Nugent and Liam Moore are my favourite players."

Season ticket holder Monica Cameron, of Sileby, was happy with how the team battled back to earn a draw.

The 64-year-old said: "It shows we have spirit in the team and we will need that.

"I still think we need two more players, but we will be OK."

Her husband, Michael, agreed, and said he was pleased to see new signing Leonardo Ulloa score on his debut.

The 68-year-old said: "That's a bit of pressure off the lad now.

"He looked useful and took his goal well.

"We are back in the big time where we belong and it feels fantastic."

The Sacranie family, of Evington - first time season ticket holders - were excited after sampling the atmosphere at the King Power stadium.

Dad Abu, 35, said: "Happy days, man. It was electric in there. Just brilliant. We can't wait for the next game."

Son Uzair, 11, said: "City did well to get a point because Everton are a very good team."

Eight-year-old son Adil said: "It was a great game. I can't wait for the next home match."

Even an Everton fan reckoned that City would stay up.

Mick Barnes, from Liverpool, said: "I think it was a fair result. It is early days but Leicester look too good to go down."

England manager Roy Hodgson was in the crowd.

Read our as-it-happened text coverage of the match, and keep up to date with Foxes news, on our Leicester City channel.

Leicester City fans go home happy after four goal thriller againt Premier League heavyweights Everton

Still work to be done as Leicestershire batsmen chase huge Surrey total at Grace Road

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Leicestershire reached the halfway stage of their County Championship match against Surrey at Grace Road still needing 28 runs to avoid the threat of having to follow-on.

At stumps on the second day they were 303-7 in reply to Surrey's first innings 480, the loss of two late wickets setting back the Leicestershire cause after a solid afternoon fightback.

Niall O'Brien, Rob Taylor and Dan Redfern all posted half-centuries to keep the County in the game. However, Surrey off-spinner Gareth Batty claimed the wickets of Redfern, Taylor and Jigar Naik during the evening session to keep his side on top. O'Brien was unbeaten on 62 at the close.

Earlier Surrey had resumed on 403-8 and they added another 77 runs before lunch as Leicestershire's bowlers toiled to wrap up the innings.

Steven Davies was eventually out to Taylor for a superb 174 - his highest score for the county - while the Leicestershire all-rounder also picked up the wicket of Stuart Meaker to finish with 4-91, good figures considering how much the batsmen had dominated events during the first four sessions.


Leicester City 2 Everton 2 - as it happened

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Leicester City begin a new era on Saturday when they return to the Premier League after a 10-year absence.

Nigel Pearson's men kick off proceedings when they welcome Everton to the King Power Stadium on what will be a special day for City fans.

If you can't get to the match, the Mercury's website will be covering the game live with text commentary.

Sports reporter James Sharpe will be providing details of the action and analysis of the game.

You can put your questions, views and comments to James during the game or you can tweet him @TheSharpeEnd.

Some of those comments will be shared with the website audience.

The action will start at 2.45pm with the announcement of the teams and pre-match build-up.

Live Blog Premier League: Leicester City v Everton - LIVE!
 

Leicester City 2 Everton 2 - as it happened

Nigel Pearson hails the character of his Leicester City players after clinching an opening day point against Everton

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Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson hailed his players for showing the spirit to bounce back from adversity to grab a point on the opening day of the season against Everton at the King Power Stadium today.

City were rocked by falling behind twice to first half strikes from Aiden McGeady and Steven Naismith, and losing key midfielder Danny Drinkwater to a hamstring injury before half time, but showed plenty of spirit to snatch a late equaliser courtesy of substitute Chris Wood.

Another positive was Leonardo Ulloa who had cancelled out McGeady's 20th minute strike with his first goal on his debut following his record transfer to City from Brighton and Hove Albion.

"It is nice to get something out of the game," said Pearson.

"It is disappointing that we have been unable to win the game but when you put it into context we went behind twice and from my perspective there was an element of misfortune about both their goals.

"I am not doubting the quality of the finishing and the first finish was unbelievable.

"It would have been easy I think to, especially after the second goal, think that maybe things weren't going our way.

"But I was pleased with how we responded. To score after 90 seconds of conceding the first goal showed a resilience which is important.

"We looked pretty dangerous in all honesty in the second half. We will need to improve in certain areas but the biggest message from today is that the players have learned that even during a game when you get setbacks with injury we are capable of adapting and getting something out of a game against an exceptionally good side."

Pearson confirmed City would now be looking at recruiting before the transfer deadline after picking up more injuries this week.

Matty James will be missing for a couple of weeks after picking up a shin injury in training, while Drinkwater's hamstring injury will be assessed this week.

Marc Albrighton and Jamie Vardy were also both missing for the visit of the Toffees with groin and thigh injuries respectively, while Matt Upson is a long term absentee after undergoing surgery on a foot injury.

Nigel Pearson hails the character of his Leicester City players after clinching an opening day point against Everton

Man taken to hospital after fire in his kitchen in Evesham Road, Rowley Fields, Leicester

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A man was taken to hospital after a fire broke out in his kitchen today.

The man was taken by ambulance to Leicester Royal Infirmary for treatment after a blaze at his home in Evesham Road, Rowley Fields, Leicester.

Firefighters were called out at 2.44pm to the house where the male occupant had got out of the property.

The fire is believe to have been caused by a faulty electrical appliance.

The blaze gutted the kitchen, caused 75 percent damage to the living room and hallway and 50 percent damage to the rest of the property.

Two fire crews from Central station tackled the blaze.

Man taken to hospital after fire in his kitchen in Evesham Road,  Rowley Fields, Leicester

Leicester City 2 Everton 2 - match report: Chris Wood grabs late equaliser in dramatic Premier League opener

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Chris Wood rejected a move to Wolves this week because he wanted to fight for his place at Leicester City.

He could hardly have got that battle off to a more impressive start as he came off the bench to score a late equaliser as City secured a 2-2 draw with Everton on the opening day of the Premier League season.

The New Zealand international stepped up four minutes from time to grab a deserved point for Nigel Pearson's side, as England manager Roy Hodgson watched on from the stands.

So often last season, City showed incredible spirit and character never to accept defeat on their way to clinching the Championship title. They showed they have carried that into the Premier League, too, as they twice came from behind at the King Power Stadium.

Aiden McGeady put Everton ahead after 21 minutes, curling a sumptuous right-footed strike into the top corner after Kasper Schmeichel had done well to deny Sylvan Distin.

It took City less than a minute to respond, roared on by the deafening sell-out crowd, as Leonardo Ulloa made his mark on debut, following his £8m move from Brighton, reacting quickest to prod home from eight yards as the ball dropped at his feet from Anthony Knockaert's corner.

But the high of the equaliser soon had its edge taken away as Danny Drinkwater hobbled off after 39 minutes with a hamstring problem. The injury worries continue to grow for Pearson, who was without Matty James for the game following a knock on his shin. 

That sparked what was to be a pivotal five-minute period for City just before the break, culminating in Everton taking the lead for a second time on the stroke of half-time.

Leighton Baines and Stevan Pienaar linked up well down the left, before Steven Naismith, who had a goal ruled out earlier in the half, lashed the ball into the net off the inside of the bar.

But City came out stronger in the second half and, with injuries to both first-choice central midfielders, it gave Andy King the chance to impress. The club's longest-serving outfield player linked up play excellently, completing 96% of his 45 passes.

There had also been talk amongst some City fans over the summer about whether Wes Morgan would have the pace to cope at the top level. He answered those questions with aplomb, putting in the proverbial captain's performance to keep Everton's £26m signing Romelu Lukaku at bay for almost the whole game.

Everton, though, should really have been down to 10 men but Gareth Barry, frivolously linked with a move to the King Power Stadium this summer, somehow avoided a second yellow card for a cynical challenge on Riyad Mahrez. It was a similar challenge that had put his name into referee Mike Jones's book earlier in the half.

If City were going to find a way of grabbing a point, it was always looked like it would have the impressive Mahrez at the heart of it. While the Algeria international was guilty of giving the ball away too cheaply on a number of occasions, his trickery always looked like causing Everton problems.

And so it did when his superb through ball found Jeff Schlupp but the substitute's first-time shot flew way over the bar.

But it was to be another substitute who would have the final say and, when Mahrez's shot was deflected off Phil Jagielka into the path of Wood, who slotted home the dramatic equaliser.


TEAMS:

Leicester City: (4-4-2) Schmeichel; De Laet, Morgan (c), Moore, Konchesky; Knockaert (Schlupp, 64'), Drinkwater (Hammond - 39'), King, Mahrez, Ulloa (Wood - 78'), Nugent

Subs: Hamer, Hammond, Schlupp, Hopper, Taylor-Fletcher, Wasilewski, Wood

Yellow cards: Moore

Everton: (4-4-1-1) Howard; Stones, Jagielka (c), Distin, Baines; Pienaar (Miralles - 81'), McCarthy, Barry, McGeady (Coleman - 85'); Naismith, Lukaku

Subs: Robles, Miralles, Besic, Atsu, Osman, Coleman, Alcaraz

Yellow cards: Barry

Possession: 36/64

Referee: Mike Jones

Attendance: 31,603

Leicester City 2 Everton 2 - match report: Chris Wood grabs late equaliser in dramatic Premier League opener

Leicester Tigers suffer pre-season defeat at Nottingham

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Nottingham 26 Leicester Tigers 19 A late rally could not stop Leicester Tigers' opening pre-season fixture at Championship side Nottingham, ending in defeat. Finding themselves 26-12 down 11 minutes into the second half, Tigers dominated the final half an hour and dragged the deficit back to within seven points through the excellent Sam Harrison. But they failed to make the most of their territorial advantage and the hosts defended with vigour to bag a notable victory against a visiting side skippered by Tom Croft. It was no more than they deserved. After conceding an early try, the Green & Whites won the next hour of the game 26-5 and ran in four lovely tries to boot. Academy winger Dave Williams scored Leicester's first score in the sixth minute on a cloudy and windy day at Nottingham's Lady Bay training ground. Tigers were the better side in the early exchanges behind the direction of new Fijian fly-half Seremaia Bai. Half-back partner Harrison was lively and Fraser Balmain and Neil Briggs also put in impressive shifts during the afternoon. Nottingham leveled the scores through replacement scrum-half Alex Smit on 28 minutes and then took a 12-7 lead thanks to Liam O'Neill's excellent finish. Tigers made it 12-12 at the break with Balmain marking the highlight of an excellent showing. Nottingham continued to make the most of Leicester's inexperience on the flanks when Smit scored a second try to end a move which began in Nottingham's own half and then four minutes later, O'Neill scored scored his second too to put the hosts 26-12 ahead. Referee Wayne Barnes gave flanker Tom Calladine a yellow card on 57 minutes as Leicester threatened and Harrison finally ended a spell of possession to make it 26-19 before the end of Calladine's penalty. Tigers wasted their late dominance though with three or four guilt-edged chances going begging. The worst offender was lock Harry Wells as he dropped the ball virtually on the line and Nottingham hung on. Tigers starting XV: Morris, D. Williams, Smith, Pohe, R. Williams; Bai, Harrison; Bristow, Briggs, Balmain, Wells, Price, Croft ©, Gibson, Crane.
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