Martyn Waghorn is expected to return to the Leicester squad for the visit of Championship leaders Cardiff - just 10 days after an operation to remove his appendix.

Waghorn played through the pain barrier against Barnsley a fortnight ago and was sent for surgery shortly after the 2-2 home draw against the Tykes.

The striker missed last weekend's defeat at Millwall but has resumed full training to put himself back in contention to face the table-topping Bluebirds.

Defenders Sean St Ledger and Michael Keane remain out with hamstring injuries, with St Ledger currently in Germany seeing a specialist about the problem that has kept him out for two-and-a-half months.

Ahead of Saturday's game, Leicester boss Nigel Pearson told the media: "After last week's defeat, it's important to bounce back. We have two games coming up against teams above us and it's important we take points from both games.

"They (Cardiff) are a side that has done exceptionally well this season, but it will be a tough game for both sides.

"They're similar to us in many ways and we've got to make sure our performance warrants us getting the three points."

Cardiff captain Mark Hudson is set to return to their starting line-up after missing the shock defeat to Peterborough.

The 30-year-old centre-back has served his one-match ban for his fifth yellow card of the season and looks likely to partner Ben Turner at the heart of the Bluebirds' defence.

That would leave Kevin McNaughton and Matt Connolly to battle it out for the right-back slot.

Manager Malky Mackay also has midfielders Jordon Mutch and Aron Gunnarsson pushing for recalls.

Former Watford attacker Tommy Smith is edging closer to a return to action with Mackay wary of rushing him back into action.

Meanwhile Nicky Maynard remains out for the rest of the campaign with his knee ligament injury while Kadeem Harris is almost fit after an ankle problem.

Leicester Tigers left the Madejski Stadium with the aura of a side that fully expects to be challenging for Aviva Premiership honours this season.

They picked up a dramatic bonus-point win when winger Niall Morris scored their fourth and final try with just 52 seconds left on the clock.

Every game is a tough one in this season's Premiership, but the really good sides would expect to come here and win.

Tigers did that by only playing well for 55 of the 80 minutes. They scored their four tries with a sumptuous blend of raw power and silky skills.

Their scrum rode roughshod over the Exiles pack in the opposition 22 and picked up another two penalty tries.

Out wide, Morris scored two tries and would have had a hat-trick had he not be taken out off the ball as he was about to touch down.

Leicester's backs looked dangerous and pacey as a unit behind the organisation of fly-half Toby Flood, who was making his first appearance for the club in eight weeks.

There was no hint of rustiness. Flood looked confident, perfectly in control and was the orchestrator of both of Morris' scores.

He was perfect with the boot, apart from one long-distance kick that hit the crossbar.

"The bars are a lot thinner at Welford Road," he joked after the game.

He also nailed an absolutely crucial long-distance penalty on 67 minutes, which not only put Leicester two scores up at 17-9, it also ended the momentum of an Exiles side who were mounting an unlikely recovery after being dominated in the first-half.

Tigers made a cracking start and were 7-0 up on 11 minutes. Flood saw Morris in space out wide as he was thinking about a penalty kick and unloaded a beautifully-weighted cross-field kick to the Irishman.

Morris took the ball at pace, skipped past two defenders and dived over the line under the tackle of Tom Homer.

It was 14-0 on the half-hour when referee Luke Pearce awarded a penalty try as Tigers pack dominated a series of scrums near the home side's line.

Tigers were so much on top at this stage against an Irish side in 11th place and low on confidence that it seemed the game was already won at half-time, despite former Tiger Ian Humphreys getting his team on the board with a penalty just before the interval.

But, like they had done against Treviso at Welford Road a fortnight earlier, Tigers completely lost their grip on the game and put in their sloppiest 25 minutes of the season.

Ben Youngs was sin-binned for tackling Darren Allinson too early after a tap-penalty, and Humphreys quickly pulled it back to 14-9.

Leicester were getting turned over in the tackle, slicing clearance kicks and passes were going to ground as they lost all sense of structure.

They also got broken at the gain line and one particular break by Jonathan Joseph looked certain to put Irish into the lead until Geordan Murphy scrambled over to make the tackle.

Make no mistake about it, these were worrying moments.

Flood's 68th-minute penalty took the sting out of the hosts and then the game was ended when Jamie Gibson took out Morris as he was about to touch down following a lovely chip-and-chase on 73 minutes.

Tigers were awarded a second penalty try and Gibson was sent to the cooler.

Then Morris wrapped up the bonus point by touching down with just 52 seconds left after latching on to Flood's break.

Few other clubs, if any, would come away from the Madejski Stadium with a bonus-point win and be as harsh on themselves as Leicester were after the whistle.

But letting a strangled animal to escape has become a bit of a theme of the season.

Allow a Saracens or Harlequins team off the hook at the business end of the season and they will surely be made to pay for it.

For 25 minutes, they were sloppy, unco-ordinated and allowed an Irish team that was ready to be put to the sword, back in the game.

They are the phases of play that need to be stamped out if Leicester are to win the Premiership title come late May.

Winger Niall Morris admitted he was "gutted" after coming within a whisker of Leicester Tigers' second Aviva Premiership hat-trick of the season.

Morris opened the scoring in the first-half and earned the bonus-point win in the final minute of the 31-9 victory at London Irish. but, in between, he was about to touch down for what would have been a third try after a delicate chip-and-chase on 73 minutes when he was hauled down by flanker Jamie Gibson, as he was about to score.

The Exiles' back-rower was shown a yellow card and Tigers were awarded a penalty try.

Adam Thompstone had already scored a treble for the club against Exeter at Welford Road in September and Morris was close to joining him.

"I was just about to dive on the ball when I got tackled," said the 24-year-old. "That left me a little bit gutted because it could have been a hat-trick.

"Manu (Tuilagi) turned it over at the ruck and the Irish guys seemed to just stop playing. I picked it up, started running and chipped it. It bounced nicely and I was going to touch it down until I got taken out."

Morris said his disappointment was short-lived, however, as Tigers picked up a dramatic late four-try bonus point thanks to his stunning 80th-minute score. Toby Flood made a line break and off-loaded to Morris, who turned on the afterburners and ran in from 35 metres.

It capped wonderful individual performances from both Flood and Morris. Both men were also the creators and finishers of the visitors' spectacular opening try on 11 minutes.

"Me and Floody were standing next to each other and, as he walked up to take a penalty kick, I told him to have a look out wide first because it might be on for the cross-field kick," said Morris.

"All of their guys started walking back to the opposite corner and so Floody kicked it over. It bounced kindly for me and was a nice start to the game.

"It was absolutely massive to get the five points away from home. We are delighted with the result. Every point will count at the end of the season."

Morris arrived at Welford Road, from Leinster, in the summer of 2011.

"I think I have improved a lot since I came here because I have got some game time," he said.

"The more of that you get, the better you play and you learn quickly and react better to things that happen in the game.

"I am happy with the way I played. Hopefully, I can stay in the team now and play well. I've thrown myself into it and have really enjoyed myself."

Swiss goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic is set to continue for high-flying Hull as they welcome former boss Nigel Pearson and his fifth-placed Leicester side to the KC Stadium on Boxing Day.

Jakupovic made his Tigers debut in last Friday's 2-1 win at Derby following David Stockdale's return to Fulham and his performance delighted manager Steve Bruce.

"I thought he was terrific. I said from the start that when you bring in a foreign player you've got to give them time. We're seeing that with Nick Proschwitz as well," said Bruce.

"It's not been easy for Eldin. He's been in a dark place at times, but he did very well and I'm delighted for him."

Abdoulaye Faye stepped in to replace the suspended Alex Bruce at Pride Park and will keep his place in Bruce's starting line-up after netting the second-half winner against Nigel Clough's Rams.

Boss Bruce has no other selection issues and following an impressive run of four straight league wins is not expected to make any further changes to his promotion-chasing side.

Martyn Waghorn is set to make his first start for Leicester since undergoing an appendix operation.

The Foxes striker made his return from injury as a second-half substitute in the 1-0 home defeat to Cardiff on Saturday, but is now fit to start as Pearson plots a return to winning ways.

City failed to score at home for the first time this season against the Bluebirds, meaning Pearson's side have now drawn blanks in their last two games, losing both.

Waghorn scored two goals in five games before his injury, and could provide the solution for the East Midlands club, now without a win from their last three games.

Defender Sean St Ledger and Michael Keane remain out with hamstring injuries, but Pearson has no new injury or suspension concerns.

The promotion hopefuls are seven points behind the second-placed Tigers going into the game, and will take confidence from their 3-1 victory against Steve Bruce's men in September.

Just over a year ago, Leicester mum Sam Osman tipped the scales at 22 stone.

She was embarrassed by her weight and when her youngest son started secondary school, she decided she had to do something to turn her life and health around.

The 40-year-old housewife, from Braunstone, said: "I had an under-active thyroid which I'd been diagnosed with 14 years earlier and I'd gradually put more weight on.

"I had tried all sorts of diets and lost weight, but then I'd just pile twice the amount back on. I tried slimming pills, but nothing was really working.

"I felt really embarrassed about myself and when my son was starting secondary school, I didn't want him to be ashamed of me, so I went to my GP and asked for help.

"He was blunt and said I was the only person who could do anything about it and I had to get off the couch and do it."

In August last year, Sam's GP referred her to Leicester City Council's Active 4 Life scheme – and since then she has shed 11 stone and dropped seven dress sizes, going from a 22 to an eight.

Participants on the scheme, who have to be referred by their doctor, get one-to-one advice from a gym instructor who helps create a personal fitness plan for them.

They can also receive nutritional advice from a professional dietician thanks to a partnership with NHS Leicester, and can attend a gym and other fitness classes for a reduced price over six months.

"It's changed my life around," said Sam. "I feel so much better and I look so much better.

"I go to the gym at least three times a week and my diet has completely changed."

Her daily breakfast used to consist of four Weetabix, plus sausage rolls and other pastries.

Lunch was a large sandwich with crisps and other snacks, including chocolate biscuits and cakes, and dinner was often a ready meal.

However, Sam has swapped all that for a healthy diet of porridge or two Weetabix in the morning, and salad or jacket potato with baked beans and lean chicken or fish and vegetables in the evening.

"Being on the scheme meant I had a lot of support and that's what I needed," said Sam.

"No-one made me feel embarrassed to be there and their friendly faces kept me going."

The mum-of-three now does regular running and weight exercises at the city's Spence Street Sports Centre.

She said the secret to staying fit and healthy was a mixture of being active and eating the right food.

"I cut bread out all together because I was eating so many carbohydrates and that really helped," she said.

"My weakness is chocolate, but I still treat myself occasionally and every Friday I have a curry, because it's important to have something to look forward to. I'm really proud of what I've done and I know my family are, too."

Sam's efforts were recognised at the city council's Sports Partnership Trust Awards which reward achievement through sport.

Carla Broadbent is the physical activity officer for the council, who oversees the health scheme.

She said: "Sam has done something phenomenal.

"It just goes to show what can be achieved if people work together and I'm pleased our Active 4 Life scheme gave her the tools to turn her life around."

Mod Barry Childs spent two years lovingly bringing a vintage 1960s Lambretta scooter back to life – only for it to be stolen from outside his house.

Decked out with an array of mirrors and lights, it was the ultimate accessory for the 70-year-old, as well as being his pride-and-joy.

"To be honest, the theft has made me feel quite ill," said Barry, who has owned the scooter for about eight years.

"It was probably worth £4,000 or £5,000, maybe more to someone who really wanted it.

"It was a nest egg for me and my wife. When it was imported a few years ago, it was covered in cobwebs and in need of a lot of attention.

"I spent a lot of time getting it back to what it was when it first came out of the factory in Italy in the 1960s. It was beautiful.

"It was a real labour of love.

"I used to ride scooters all over the place back in the 1960s. I used to go to all the ska nights, too.

"They were good days, but there's still a lot of interest in the whole Mod thing today.

"The Lambretta was always the ultimate scooter for the Mods. Mine was perfect."

Barry, who is originally from Birmingham, met his wife, Hazel, four years ago.

The couple got married in September.

Hazel, 66, said: "Barry has only recently lost his brother to cancer and then this happened. We've been on a bad run, to say the least.

"People have knocked on the door time and again and asked to buy it, but Barry would never sell it because it means so much to him.

"He spent two years doing it up and searching for all the parts. It took some doing but he got it looking perfect.

"He was absolutely devastated when it was stolen."

The scooter was taken from the driveway outside the couple's home in Main Street, Humberstone, Leicester, between 4pm on Sunday, November 11, and 8.30am the next day.

Earlier this month, Leicestershire Police issued a photograph of the scooter – registration 247 UXV – which was published along with an appeal for information in the Leicester Mercury.

Despite the appeal, nobody has come forward to report sightings of the scooter.

Police community support officer Cameron Messiah said: "The victim has been left devastated by the theft. If anyone recognises the scooter and has seen it either parked or being driven around, we would urge you to contact us so we can reunite it with its owner and identify those responsible for the theft.

"If you witnessed anyone acting suspiciously in Main Street between the times above or you know anything about the incident, we would urge you to contact us."

Contact Pcso Messiah on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Martyn Waghorn is back in the Leicester City squad to make his comeback just 10 days after having his appendix removed.

However, the striker has to settle for a place on the substitutes' bench as City boss Nigel Pearson opts for the same starting line-up that suffered defeat at Millwall last weekend.

7 min: Danny Drinkwater shoots from long range but miles over the bar. A competitive but scrappy start to this game.

12 min: A great ball over the top by Wes Morgan and David Nugent is in behind the Cardiff defence and shoots from an acute angle, but keeper David Marshall makes a good save down low to his right.

13 min: City are starting to get on top and Andy King has a shot deflected wide for a corner after good work from Ritchie De Laet and Jamie Vardy.

14 min: An Anthony Knockaert corner sees Morgan's towering header at the back post which is saved by Marshall and Andrew Taylor clears. City get possession back and King strikes the post from the edge of the box. Vardy follows in and his strike hits the bar. What a let-off for Cardiff.

16 min: Knockaert has a long-range effort and Marshall again has to make the save. City are well and truly on top. When they do get possession, Cardiff are just playing some hopeful long balls.

23 min: Knockaert tries his luck again from long range and it moves in the air, forcing Marshall to scramble to make the save.

24 min: Knockaert again runs at the Cardiff defence and plays in King. His touch is heavy so it runs through to the keeper, but Mark Hudson's challenge is late on King. No real penalty appeals from City.

25 min: GOAL 0-1 Craig Conway teases Paul Konchesky and pulls his cross back to the edge of the area, where Craig Bellamy is unmarked and he fires into the bottom corner. Cardiff have taken the lead completely against the run of play and with their first shot on goal. Before the goal, City had eight shots on goal, six on target to none for Cardiff.

29 min: Bellamy is in again after a simple one-two with Kim Bo-Kyung, but a great tackle from Morgan stops him in his tracks.

31 min: Bellamy fires over the bar after Kasper Schmiechel comes through a crowd of players to punch away a Peter Whittingham free kick, but can't get any distance on it.

41 min: King does superbly to get away on the left flank and races towards the Cardiff box. His side-foot finish is inches wide.

45+1 min: Vardy hits the bar again with a looping header. That is the third time in the game City have struck the woodwork during this first half.

H-T: City 0 Cardiff 1

51 min: substitution Waghorn on for Vardy.

53 min: Waghorn's header from De Laet's cross is saved by Marshall. Almost an instant impact by the sub.

65 min: Cardiff substitute Rudy Gestede's header is deflected just over the bar.

68 min: SUBSTITUTIONS Ben Marshall for Knockaert and Jesse Lingard for Lloyd Dyer.

74 min: Nugent's header is cleared off the line. What have City got to do to score?

78 min: Morgan is robbed and Gestede plays in Bellamy, who crosses for sub Aron Gunnarsson, but the ball is deflected behind him and City clear.

85 min: City are running out of ideas and time against a stubborn Cardiff defence. It has been another frustrating afternoon for Pearson and his team.

90+3 min: Another three points slip away and, while City have more than matched their opponents, they haven't delivered the knockout blow.

F-T City 0 Cardiff 1

Cardiff City manager Malky Mackay believes his side's encounter with Leicester City was a great advert for the Championship.

Craig Bellamy's 25th-minute strike was enough to separate the two teams at the King Power Stadium on Saturday as they condemned City to their second successive defeat.

The Bluebirds sit three points clear on top of the Championship table, with the gap between themselves and fifth-place City now 10 points.

Mackay said it was he was delighted to pick up the three points.

"We knew we were coming to play a very good team with a good, experienced manager, and we knew it was going to be tough," he said.

"I have never had an easy game at Leicester in my life, but I thought it was a great advert for the Championship.

"I am not saying that because we won, but it was two teams that were playing attractive football, and at a hell of a tempo.

"The pace of the game was unbelievable, so I am delighted with the performance."

Bellamy's first-time strike was his fourth goal of the season and his manager said it encapsulated the Welshman's quality.

"It's the quality of the individual we have got," said Mackay. "But more so than the strike, I am looking at the way that he is closing people down in the last five minutes and that shows you the determination of the lad to be a team player.

"He said a couple of weeks ago that he thinks it's the best group of lads that he has ever played with, in terms of the team ethic and the hard work.

"I think that showed through in his pressing and his closing down and his running channels. I thought that was exceptional."

Mackay also paid tribute to his goalkeeper David Marshall.

"To come here and get a clean sheet is no mean feat," he said. " Especially when you're playing against a really good team – a team that when they attack, can cause teams massive damage.

"I think he (Marshall) is the best keeper in the division. I think his consistency over the last 18 months has been unbelievable."

A con-man has been fined for taking money from an elderly man for unnecessary repair work on his house.

Charles Johnson, of Justin Park Caravan Site, Market Harborough, visited the 69-year-old man's home in Ketton, Rutland, in September and told him work needed to be done on his chimney.

Johnson agreed a price of £2,500 to do the work and immediately took the man to his bank to draw out a £500 deposit.

The man later contacted Peterborough City Council's Trading Standards department because he was concerned he would be forced to hand over more money.

Trading standards arranged for a local surveyor to inspect the property, and he confirmed that no work needed to be done.

When Johnson and his team of workmen returned to collect the rest of the money and start the work, they were met by trading standards officer and police who arrested them.

At Leicester Magistrates' Court, Johnson pleaded guilty to misleading a consumer about work that needed to be done on their home, and failing to give cancellation rights.

He was sentenced to repay £500 to the man, fined £500 and ordered to pay £500 prosecution costs.

Inspector Kam Mistry, Rutland police commander, said: "This was a potentially nasty crime involving a vulnerable member of the community.

"Fortunately he had the presence of mind to seek help, which meant we and our trading standards colleagues were waiting for the con-man when he returned to the house.

"I would urge anyone to be wary of anyone calling at your home to offer services, particularly ones you are not aware that you need."

A con-man who pretended to have supernatural powers to steal jewellery from the sick and elderly has had his jail sentence cut on appeal.

Gul Faraz (54) preyed on vulnerable people in Leicester and elsewhere whom he thought likely to be taken in by his claims to higher powers.

He pleaded guilty to three burglaries and attempted theft and was sentenced to six years' imprisonment at Snaresbrook Crown Court in August.

However, after an appeal by his lawyers, Lord Justice Elias, Mr Justice Hamblen and Judge John Bevan QC cut the sentence to five years.

"These are rightly described as despicable offences," said Judge Bevan.

The Court of Appeal heard Faraz struck first in March when he knocked at the door of a family home and claimed he could sense "evil spirits".

He was told to leave, but returned when the husband had gone away, talking his way into the house in order to pray and cleanse it of evil.

Faraz told the woman occupant to put her jewellery into a bowl of water, which immediately turned red, before he wrapped it in a pillow and told her to turn away.

When she looked back, she saw him putting his hand into his pocket.

He was restrained and, when police arrived, was found to have the jewellery.

Bailed, Faraz, of Cambridge Avenue, Peterborough, moved on to London, where he struck three times in quick succession in March and April.

Using similar techniques, he conned a family into thinking he had spiritual powers.

He got away with about £3,000 worth of jewellery, which he had placed in a bowl of water, but replaced with stones.

Similar rituals at homes in Bow and Stepney resulted in yields of £2,500 and £1,200 worth of jewellery.

After considering Faraz's appeal, the judges agreed the sentence passed at the crown court was excessive and reduced it to five years.

Judge Bevan said the sentencing judge had taken too high a "starting point" for the term.

Leicester City defender Zak Whitbread believes his side deserved to get something out the game, despite slipping to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of league leaders Cardiff.

After being completely in the ascendency for the first 25 minutes, City were caught with a sucker punch when Craig Bellamy was left unmarked on the edge of the area.

Whitbread said that, with the number of chances his side created, they definitely deserved to get something out of the game.

"We have had enough chances to make a mark on the game and get something out of it. We are disappointed with the result," he said.

"They have had a couple of chances and taken one of them. But besides that, I don't think they created too much.

"With the chances we had, we could have got four or five, looking at their chances there aren't many.

"I think we did (deserve to get something) but I can't sit here and say we deserved to win the game because we didn't, we lost, and that's down to us now to go again." City had 18 attempts on goal, with 13 shots on target, but failed to find the back of the net compared to just three shots on target from the visitors.

City also hit the woodwork on three occasions and were denied by the heroics of Cardiff keeper David Marshall.

"It's disappointing because they did score creating not as many chances," said Whitbread. "It's hard to take when you do have those chances coming off the bar and the keeper saving it.

"They had a couple of chances but they got the three points, so I can't sit here and count how many shots they've had.

"So we're disappointed but we've got to be able to take those knocks and keep going and not let it affect us.

"We need to pick ourselves up now. Our first-half performance, if we play like that every week, we're not going to be far off. There are just times in games where we need to be a bit more resilient and mentally strong.

"We have got to work even harder now to get something on Wednesday (when City play second-place Hull)."

Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill insists his side need to be more ruthless, despite earning a bonus-point Aviva Premiership victory at London Irish.

Tigers were 14-0 up after half-an-hour and cruising at a rain-soaked Madejski Stadium.

But they lost momentum and some sloppy play allowed the struggling Exiles back into the game at 14-9 as a tense final 15 minutes approached .

Tigers saved their blushes by stepping up the pace again to secure not only the win but a maximum points haul with Niall Morris' last-minute try.

It was not the first time this season that Tigers have taken their foot off the pedal to allow an opposition team back into the game, and Cockerill says his team must start killing teams off.

"That game was the tale of our season," he said. "We had a really good first-half and had the opportunity to score several more points – but we didn't take them.

"We made line breaks and coughed up the ball. We had our tails up and we have to take those opportunities when they come.

"If we had taken just one of them and made it 21-0, it would have been a different game.

"In the second-half, we came out and just expected it to happen. That was disappointing.

"We could have made things that bit easier for ourselves, and we just need a bit better control."

Aside from his criticism of a strong Tigers side that was as near to full strength as it has been all season, Cockerill was delighted with the five points that took his side back into the top three.

Morris' opening score came off a gorgeous cross-field kick from the outstanding Toby Flood and the pack earned a penalty try on the half-hour which made it 14-0.

The Exiles battled back to give themselves a chance at 14-9 but a second penalty try, scored when Morris was tackled off the ball by Irish flanker Jamie Gibson as he was about to score in the 74th-minute, killed off the game as a contest.

Then Morris' last-minute score completed his brace and a 31-9 scoreline.

"It was great vision by Floody for our first try and he did some good things," said Cockerill. "His penalty goal to put us 17-9 up was also quality. He looked very assured considering he has not played for so long.

"Niall Morris did really well too. If he hadn't been tackled without the ball, he would have had a hat-trick.

"As it was, he made two great finishes. You don't out-pace the Irish back three very often but that is what he did for our final try.

"He was outstanding and has been working very hard at his game. He is doing a really good job for us.

"It was five points on the road and that is a good return for us."

Frail Edna Giles owes her life to a plumber who refused to drive off after she failed to answer the door when he called at her bungalow.

The 97-year-old had fallen from her bed and spent the night on the cold floor as she could not get back up, having lost her right leg in a car crash when she was 25.

Plumber Michael Harrison was so concerned when he got no reply he rang Edna's friend, Sandra McLavy, and while Sandra rushed to Edna's Thringstone home, Michael removed a window and climbed inside.

He was then able to let in Sandra, who had called the emergency services, and they found Edna lying on the floor "as blue as could be".

"Michael acted quickly and took the window out and climbed in and let us in – by that time I had called the ambulance and the police," said Sandra, 57.

"Edna was very cold, extremely thirsty and confused and was suffering from hypothermia.

"I have no doubt that if Michael had not called me, Edna would have died.

"I was not due to call on her until the next day and I don't think she would have survived another night on the floor.

"As it was, she had spent 12 hours on the floor and was in a poorly state and had to be taken to hospital for treatment for hypothermia.

"I just want to thank Michael for calling me and getting in to the bungalow so quickly.

"I thought the paramedics were marvellous, too."

Edna, who lives alone and who used to play piano with a number of dance bands in the 1940s, including the Blue Rockets, said: "They're not going to get rid of me that easy. I survived a car crash in which three people were killed.

"I want to say a big 'thank you' to Michael for what he did. He deserves recognition."

Recalling what happened, she said: "I had slipped off the bed and could not get back up. I was very cold."

"There was a lot of fuss, what with the police and ambulance people, the plumbers and a nurse," said Edna, who had taken off her helpline emergency alarm so could not call for help.

Michael, who works for the HomeServe emergency repair service, called at Edna's home at 10am on Friday, November 22, to mend her toilet.

Edna has been recovering since then, and has not been able to speak about what happened until now.

"I'm back at home now and looking forward to celebrating Christmas," she said.

"I now sleep with my lifeline alarm around my neck."

Michael, 29, who lives in Ellistown, said: "I've been to Edna's before and when I got no answer my natural instinct was to call Sandra and then get the window off and go inside.

"After being on the floor all night, Edna was as blue as could be and I don't know what would have happened if she had been there much longer.

"If it was something out of the ordinary I did, then I'm just happy to have helped."

Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson admits he is looking to recruit a striker.

City slumped to their third defeat in five games, and eighth of the campaign, against Cardiff at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.

However, they once again created a host of good chances, hitting the target 13 times without converting their pressure into goals, and paid the ultimate price.

City have been linked with West Bromwich Albion's Chris Wood, who is on loan at Millwall, and Stoke City's Kenwyne Jones.

Pearson said his side need to be more ruthless in front of goal. "It is very frustrating," admitted the City boss.

"When you create as many goalscoring opportunities as we did you would expect to score. But we came up against a side that, to be fair, defended well and had a lot of experience.

"They hit us with a sucker punch and, in the second-half, it fizzled out a little bit. It was a frustrating day. We didn't manage the ball as well as I would have liked but you have to give them a bit of credit. They got everyone behind the ball and tried to hit us on the break.

"We deserved to get to something out of the game. Scoring goals obviously is the key factor to winning games, but I would be more concerned if we were not creating chances.

"We are putting together a promotion push, but things have not gone our way in the last few weeks. What we must do is keep in contact with the sides in the automatic places.

"I might go for a striker in the January transfer window if the right one is available."

It doesn't get any easier for City as they now head to face in-form Hull City on Boxing Day.

The Tigers have moved into the second automatic promotion place, and Pearson added: "It will be another tough game but we have to keep believing in what we are doing."

Is it bad luck or bad finishing?

It is a question that has probably been asked on more than a couple of occasions this season by Leicester City fans after watching their side dominate a game before ultimately emerging empty-handed.

City suffered their eighth defeat of a campaign that has reached the halfway stage.

League leaders Cardiff grabbed the win with Craig Bellamy producing a finish of Premiership quality in the 25th minute and, despite City laying siege to the Bluebirds' goal for most of the game, the visitors held on.

Not for the first time this season, City created a host of fantastic chances and had 13 strikes on target to Cardiff's three.

They were undone by a mixture of bad luck, inspired goalkeeping and a lack of a killer instinct, coupled with a momentary defensive lapse, which was punished with the kind of clinical finishing which has been lacking from City's play.

Frankly, it seems to be a recurring theme.

City hit the woodwork three times and had two efforts cleared off the line, and Cardiff keeper David Marshall was in inspired form as he produced some wonderful saves.

However, City had enough of the game to have claimed the three points.

City have been beaten by a single goal in all eight defeats – games which could have easily gone the other way.

Although he didn't show it after the game and maintained a calm persona, the frustration must be building in City boss Nigel Pearson.

His side are so close to being automatic promotion challengers.

The victory meant Cardiff are now 10 points ahead of City in the table. They should not be that far behind their Welsh counterparts.

In fact, the difference between the two sides was just one man, – Bellamy.

City look like a side just missing one vital ingredient, and, if anyone wondered what that ingredient was, Bellamy gave a demonstration when he displayed the experience and footballing intelligence to drift away from his markers to stand unmarked on the edge of the City box. He was superbly picked out by Craig Conway and produced a first-time finish of the highest quality.

That was Cardiff's first effort on target and followed a period of such sustained City pressure, it seemed merely a question of when City would take the lead.

Marshall had produced a superb save to deny Wes Morgan and Andy King had struck the post, quickly followed by Jamie Vardy striking the bar with the rebound.

Anthony Knockaert also forced good saves from Marshall following driving runs and long-range shots from the Frenchman as City looked intent on closing the gap on the league leaders.

After a nervy spell following Cardiff's goal, City regained the impetus and King again went close before Vardy struck the crossbar again with a looping header.

City kept pushing for an equaliser and again Cardiff were forced into some desperate, last-ditch defending as Conway headed David Nugent's header off the line.

But that vital goal did not come and City now head to face a buoyant Hull City side on Boxing Day having picked up just four points from their last five games.

The January transfer window is just a few days away, and Pearson needs to add that missing ingredient, but there won't be many strikers of the quality of Bellamy on offer.

Residents living on a bend in a busy dual carriageway are demanding action after the latest incident involving a van crashing into a garden.

People living on the A50 Markfield Road, at Groby, say they need protection for themselves, their families and their properties.

It follows a crash on Saturday morning in which a blue VW van left the road, knocked down a wall and a wooden telegraph pole and crashed through a front garden.

The van ended up lying on its side on the driveway of Kim and Jamie Hargrave's home, less than a foot from their living room window.

The aftermath was captured on camera by Mercury reader Mark Allen.

The family was not at home at the time of the crash – at about 11.50am – and the driver escaped with minor injuries.

"It's incredible to me that he survived at all," said Kim, 50.

"The telegraph pole was snapped at the base and ended up in three pieces on our drive, but all he walked away with was a sprained wrist.

"If it had happened 25 minutes earlier, my daughter, who is nine months pregnant, and I would have been leaving the house to go Christmas shopping.

"It would have cleaned us up – we wouldn't have stood a chance – and if our cars had been on the drive, it could have gone over the top and crashed right through our living room."

Jamie returned home to find the car in the garden.

"I was horrified," he said.

"My first thought was that the car had landed on my wife's and that her and my daughter had been hit. It was very upsetting."

Emergency services were called to the scene at about 11.50am.

The Hargraves' home is located just off the northbound carriageway, at the end of a sweeping bend where the national speed limit reduces to 50mph.

It is not known what caused the crash, which did not involve any other vehicles, but the road surface was wet at the time.

Businessman Mark Allen, who runs Leicester Blinds Ltd, took the above picture shortly after the accident.

Kim said cars coming off the road at the bend was not uncommon.

"Ourselves and our neighbours have lost count of the number of incidents," she said.

"A young lad died on our driveway a few years ago after a similar crash, and two men survived another 10 months ago when they ended up on top of our hedge."

She said there was "a kink in the road as it sweeps round", and some drivers do not slow sufficiently to negotiate it.

Residents have been calling for measures such as speed cameras and barriers to be installed at the bend.

Leicestershire County Council has agreed to invest £120,000 and is drawing up a scheme of safety improvements along the A50, from the A46 junction to the Field Head roundabout.

It will include reduced speed limits and speed-activated signs.

Groby county councillor Rob Fraser said: "I welcome these improvements, but we need to go further.

"We need a speed camera on this bend. I have been lobbying everyone I can and I'm confident we will now get one."

Anyone who witnessed the crash, or who saw the blue van immediately beforehand, is asked to call police on 101.