Leicester Royal Infirmary's accident and emergency department was almost the worst performing in the country during January, according to a new report.

Emergency doctors failed to see and treat 2,620 patients within the four-hour target time set by the Department of Health.

Under the rules, 95 per cent of patients must be seen within the time slot – but at the infirmary doctors managed 85.1 per cent.

In a report to directors at Leicester's hospitals board meeting, Jeremy Tozer, interim director of operations, said: "January was the worst performing month to date.

"As of February 3, the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS trust was ranked 142 out of 144 acute trusts over the past four weeks, with a performance of 85.1 per cent."

Mr Tozer said the poor performance was down to nearly 500 more patients compared with the same time last year arriving for treatment.

An increase in staff sickness, which meant having to close extra beds, had also impacted on the infirmary's ability to move patients from the A&E department and on to wards.

Mr Tozer said that by the end of March, it was predicted 168,615 patients would have been through A&E in the past year.

This will be 6,647 more than the previous year and represents an increase of 4.2 per cent.

Mr Tozer said work to try to "divert" patients to the nearby urgent care centre had not had a significant effect on reducing the work load in A&E.

However, changes from the start of last week should help improve the time in which patients are seen.

It includes speeding up assessment with the creation of a new joint clinical team.

The number of ward rounds on the rapid assessment, short stay assessment and clinical decisions units have been increased and new patients seen within half an hour.

Mr Tozer said: "In the first week we implemented the changes we achieved 95 per cent performance in A&E on two days. This week has been tough again but the system is proving beneficial to the times patients are being seen."

Leicester's hospitals face penalties of about £700,000 a month for not meeting the 95 per cent target.

However, the Leicester City clinical commissioning group (CCG), which will take on responsibility for running local health services in April, has said it will give the infirmary £150,000 a week for each week it meets the target.

The CCG is also working on a review of ambulance requests from GPs to see if all patients need to go to hospital.

Mr Tozer said: "The impact of this work seems very positive."

Zuffar Haq, of the Leicester Mercury Patients' Panel, said: "The hospital needs to improve its system in A&E so patients are looked after quicker and better."

Leicester City made a record loss of nearly £30 million during last season's failed push for promotion, it was revealed today.

The deficit was nearly double the previous record loss of £15.2 million in 2010/11.

However, the Thai owners assured fans they are as committed as ever to getting the club into the Premier League.

They blamed the huge loss on a soaring wage bill built up during Sven-Goran Eriksson's reign as manager. The £29.7 million loss – one of the biggest ever reported by a Championship club – was racked up in the year to May 31, 2012.

It has been covered by the owners, who pumped in £36 million last season.

Their commitment to the club was also highlighted yesterday when it was announced they had bought the King Power Stadium from American pension fund manager Teachers Insurance in a £17 million deal. Chief executive Susan Whelan said: "The fans should not be concerned. This loss has been funded. The owners are committed to the club."

Salaries rocketed to £27.7 million in 2011/12 from £16.6 million the previous season.

High-wage earners, such as Matt Mills and Sol Bamba, brought in by Eriksson, have since left the club, while Jermaine Beckford is on loan to Huddersfield until the end of the season.

Eriksson was sacked by the club in October, 2011, after serving just over a year as manager. The club reported turnover increased by 23 per cent to £21.4 million in 2011/12, helped by a rise in money from sponsorship, executive suites and advertising, which climbed from £3million to £5.5 million.

Income from match tickets fell slightly, from £6.02 million to £5.87million, while cash from retailing and merchandise rose from £1.37 million to £1.45 million.

Ms Whelan said she was not yet able to give an indication of this season's financial performance.

Promotion would bring City a windfall of more than £100 million. However, the club is prepared financially for another season in the Championship, she said.

The club's debt rose from £46 million to £85.4 million, mainly as a result of the £29.7 million loss.

The remaining £9.3 million is regarded as a debt, but not a loss, because it was an investment in the club, either in transfer fees for players or in club facilities.

The club's chairman, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, owner of Thai duty-free business King Power Group, took over the club in 2010 after a £39 million deal with previous owner Milan Mandaric. He has given the club loans totalling £61.6 million since he took control, but hopes to eventually convert these loans into shares in an arrangement similar to what has been seen at Chelsea and Manchester City.

"My vision is for Leicester City to take its place as a highly respected and successful Premier League club," said Mr Srivaddhanaprabha.

"As a club, we should centre around the lives of the fans and the community of Leicester. We will hold the club's heritage in trust, and develop the club to ensure sustainability for future generations.

"My commitment to Leicester City has been gratifyingly reciprocated by the club's loyal fans and partners, whose support continues to be valuable in helping the club achieve its long-term objectives."

Mr Srivaddhanaprabha changed his surname from Raksriaksorn, last month after being granted a royal honour by the King of Thailand.

Leicester City have moved to reassure fans the club will be able to meet the demands of the Financial Fair Play Regulations.

City recorded losses of £29.7 million for the year ending May 31, 2012.

However, chief executive officer Susan Whelan said action had been taken to ensure the club does not fall foul of the sanctions that can be imposed on clubs posting big losses as part of the new rules.

From next season, City must not post losses of more than £8m in total, or they could face a transfer embargo during the January transfer window of 2015.

The figures cannot exceed £3m in losses and a further £5m in equity through shares from the owners.

The club accounts show that turnover for the 2011-12 season increased by £4m, mainly through an increase in commercial revenue, and manager Nigel Pearson's squad restructuring has noticeably reduced the size of the squad and the wage bill.

Whelan said the club had plans in place to meet the regulations.

"The club and the commercial team have been working very hard to increase overall revenue," she said.

"However, the club has also reviewed its debt structure and is in discussions about restructuring this.

"The club and the coaching management continue to manage the playing budget to ensure the club can comply with FFP."

There were reports that City were one of three clubs that voted against the regulations.

But Whelan said the club fully supported the principles of FFP, which are aimed at addressing the number of clubs that spiral into financial difficulties.

"Leicester City supports the principles of FFP, and will be compliant with the regulations when they come into force with the commencement of the 2013-14 season, if at that time the club remains in the Championship," she said.

"The rules in the Premier League are, of course, different."

The club's owners and shareholders, the Srivaddhanaprabha family, further invested £36m in the club during the 2011-12 season.

Whelan said FFP did not alter their long-term plans for building City into an established Premier League club.

"The rules apply to all the clubs in the Championship so the playing field will remain level, although the parachute clubs will clearly have a financial advantage," she explained.

"The regulations will not hinder the owners' ambitions for the club.

"The owners have never stated a time frame in any case for promotion; they have always committed their support and resources to the attainment of this vision."

David McGoldrick's 85th-minute goal secured a vital 1-0 victory for relegation-threatened Ipswich and dealt a blow to Leicester's promotion aspirations.

A finely balanced game, which contained some neat play but very little in the way of clear-cut chances, could have gone either way and appeared set for stalemate until McGoldrick converted well the second goal of his loan spell from Nottingham Forest.

Only time will tell how valuable that late goal could be with Town now six points clear of the npower Championship drop zone and the Foxes still riding high in the play-off places.

The best of very few chances had previously fallen to Leicester striker Harry Kane, on loan from Tottenham, just before the hour mark but he could only send his shot wide when latching on to Luke Chambers' under-hit back pass.

For Leicester, it was a disappointing end to a day which started with the announcement of a significant loss of #29.7million for the financial year ending 31 May 2012, an increase of #14.5m on the previous 12 months.

A goalless draw appeared on the cards pre-match with Ipswich the lowest scorers in the second tier and Leicester boasting the meanest defence, and it was clear very early on there was very little prospect of the 6-0 victory City recorded in the reverse fixture in November.

Both sides, each unchanged from their last outing, immediately set a pattern for the game with plenty of passing football on show albeit with very little in the way of goalmouth action.

The first chance of any note finally arrived in the 22nd minutes, Kane seeing his effort deflected harmlessly wide.

Despite the lack of excitement in the final third, Town boss Mick McCarthy will have been delighted with what he was seeing against the promotion-chasing visitors amid a very even first half.

It was Kane who created a clear-cut opening just before the half-hour mark but, having turned Town's defence inside out, could only drill wide from 10 yards.

Paul Konchesky fired just over as Leicester continued to fashion the better chances although Kasper Schmeichel was called upon to keep out Chambers and McGoldrick.

And as the half-time whistle blew it was down to McCarthy and Foxes counterpart Nigel Pearson to conjure up a plan to strike the single blow which was likely to settle matters.

Leicester boasted the best second-half record in the Championship going into the game but it was Town who flew out of the blocks, Schmeichel saving well from McGoldrick.

Yet the hosts gifted City a golden opportunity to break the deadlock in the 57th minute.

A terrible back pass from Chambers put Kane clean through but he could only send his effort the wrong side of a post.

The miss looked set to prove costly with the second period following a similar pattern to the first, easy to watch but containing very little to get excited about.

Yet all that changed in the 85th minute as McGoldrick punished Foxes defender Wes Morgan for his sloppy defensive play to convert left-footed from 12 yards.

Leicester threw plenty forward in search of a leveller but it failed to come.

Leicester Tigers 48 Sale Sharks 10

Leicester Tigers ran riot against the Aviva Premiership's bottom club with six tries in a 48-10 victory.

Lock forward Ed Slater and centre Matt Smith both scored twice, a penalty try came in the first half and full-back Mat Tait rounded off the rout.

But it was flanker Tom Croft who caught the eye with a wonderful performance on only his fifth start since coming back from a long-term injury.

After a frustrating opening quarter in which the home side butchered several chances, Tigers ran in six tries within a 42-minute spell for a bonus point win.

And Harlequins' defeat at home to Exeter Chiefs saw Tigers climb to within a single point of the reigning champions in the race for a home semi-final spot.

Fly-half George Ford had his best game of the season kicking eight from eight with the boot and Leicester put together their most complete 80 minutes of the campaign too.

The home side's try line was breached with 90 seconds to go when Sale substitute, Andy Powell crashed over from close range for a consolation try. But this was a sorry day Steve Diamond's side who were completely outclassed.

Tigers' director of rugby Richard Cockerill said it was a very satisfying afternoon after consecutive defeats.

"I am delighted with the result and the the players' attitude which was superb," he said. "We are still in the mix for the top two and the result was a lot easier than I thought it would be."

Paul Konchesky said it is going to take a big push to claim automatic promotion – but Leicester City still have a good chance.

The full-back admitted after the 1-0 defeat at Ipswich they are losing ground on the top two, but said they would not give up on closing that eight-point gap.

"We are creating chances but we need to start picking up more points than we are losing," he said.

"We want to go up automatically. It is going to take a big push but we still have a great chance.

"When you look at it you are obviously worried, but Cardiff lost again so there are points to be played for and we need to pick up more points than we lose.

"The priority is automatic promotion and we won't give up until the end. There are plenty of points to play for."

Konchesky admitted the defeat, which came after a mistake by Wes Morgan allowed David McGoldrick to score a late winner, was a "kick in the teeth".

"The last two games we got two good results and we came here for the win," he said.

"Confidence was high after last Tuesday and it is a kick in the teeth really.

"We are all obviously disappointed. We know it was a sloppy goal we gave away but we still had some chances and we didn't play at our full potential.

"We have to come to these places and at least pick up at a draw.

"We are disappointed at losing the game. We needed to get three points. That is what we came here to do.

"I thought we started the second half all right and had a few chances. We didn't take them and they got a goal, in the build-up to which there was a foul on Wes Morgan.

"We have seen it and it is a bad one really. Wes has lost his head and we have lost a goal.

"You see the first bit with Michael Chopra, which wasn't given, and then the big lad (Daryl Murphy) when he came on, gave Wes a big elbow and he lost his head.

"It isn't the best thing but he did (lose his head) and it led to the goal.

"But we have created chances and we aren't blaming anyone for that."

A couple who neglected a rabbit so severely it had to be put to sleep have been barred from keeping animals for five years.

Female rabbit Jack suffered severe urine scalding to all four paws and lost most of its facial fur while in the care of its owner's mother, Caroline Topham (47), and her husband, Craig Topham (49).

The couple pleaded guilty at Leicester Magistrates' Court to causing unnecessary suffering to the adult grey rabbit by failing to seek veterinary treatment between October 24 and November 14 last year at their flat in Maple Drive, Lutterworth.

Kevin McCole, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said Jack's owner had moved out two years before and had left her pet in the care of her mother.

But on November 12, the owner was told by her sister that the rabbit was in a very poor condition, with no fur on its face.

The owner spoke to her mother who told her she had taken Jack to the vet to be treated for mites.

The owner contacted the local vet who told her the rabbit had not been taken in, so she took the animal to a vet in Broughton Astley herself.

"An examination was carried out and the rabbit was found with a very poor body condition and was uncomfortable," said Mr McCole.

"Its face had lost most of its fur and putrescent pus was discharged from its eyes, indicating blocking of its tear ducts.

"There were large sores on all four feet with deep infections and the bone was exposed.

"The animal was suffering and in pain."

Mr McCole said Jack's owner agreed that the only solution was to put the rabbit to sleep.

When interviewed, Caroline Topham said she was happy to keep the rabbit for her daughter and that her husband was in charge of cleaning and feeding it.

She said the animal did not like to be taken out of the cage or being handled and "would bite".

Craig Topham said he cleaned the cage out every week and fed Jack daily.

He agreed the animal did not like being handled and, when he cleaned out its cage, it would move from one side of the cage to the other.

"She was constantly scratching but her face got better, then worse," he said. "I thought it was mites."

Caroline Topham, in tears, told the court she was sorry about what had happened and she accepted she should have taken better care of the rabbit.

"We have no car and, with a toddler in a buggy, could not take the rabbit to the vet," she said.

She said she acknowledged that she would be disqualified from keeping animals.

"That would be the right thing to do."

As well being disqualified, they were each fined £150 with a £20 victim surcharge.

A teenager is hoping to adapt her nimble footwork on the football pitch to the catwalk when she takes part in the Miss Leicestershire contest later this month.

Codie Applebee, 17, of Wigston, who plays for West Bromwich Albion Ladies, is a contestant in the annual competition – one of 85 heats taking part across the country – leading to a place in the Miss England contest.

The trainee hairdresser was one of 150 young women and men aged 17 to 24 who were recruited in Highcross shopping centre earlier this month to take part in the Miss and Mr Leicestershire competition.

Now Codie is one of 22 women going forward to the final on Friday, March 15 – Red Nose Day – at the Holiday Inn, St Nicholas Circle, Leicester.

The teenager is having to fit in three days a week studying hairdressing at Leicester College, training twice a week at West Brom and playing every Saturday with working in a hairdressing and tanning salon, as well as now getting ready for the competition.

Codie said her dad, Brett, 40, had been playing football with her since she was about four.

She said: "I got into playing football with Dad, who used to run Leicester Women reserves. I'm not afraid to slide tackle, but I don't worry about how playing football might affect my looks.

"I play centre-mid. I've been playing for West Brom for three months. I scored in the first game I played for them, but I'm going back to Leicester City Women FC next season."

Codie, who twice had trials for the England under-15 side, said: "I'm hoping to go to the US to do a football scholarship, but you have to be 18 or 19 before you can do that."

Mum Tracey, 40, said: "Her dad always had a ball at his feet and Codie just followed suit. He's proud about his footballer daughter turning into a princess."

Brett said: "She won player of the season in her first year playing for a girls' side and has played at the Leicester Centre of Excellence since she was seven.

"She's got a good shot on her, I'm very proud of her.

"I've warned her that contests such as the one she's going into are a cut-throat business, but it's nice to see her doing it."

Cameron Brown, 20, of Narborough, is one of the 28 men – now whittled down to eight – recruited for the Mr Leicestershire contest.

He said: "I was shopping in Highcross when I saw the stand and I thought I'd give it a go. I'd like to do modelling work."

Fellow contestant Linford Martin, 22, of Humberstone, said: "I'm well up for it. I entered it before they started recruiting. All my friends said I should. I'm hoping to get into modelling and this is a bit of a showcase."

The winners of the two contests stand to win a professional photo shoot, a spa membership worth £900, free hairdressing for a year and an all-expenses-paid place in the Miss England or Mr England competition final in Torquay in June.

Angie Beasley, a director of Miss England who is organising the Leicestershire competition, said: "We set up a stand in Highcross over the weekend of February 15 and 16 and found 150 contestants – it was a huge success.

"The contestants will be judged on their confidence, charitable endeavour, eco outfit and how photogenic they are."

To find out more about all of the contestants, visit:

www.missengland.info/ regionals/leicester

Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy said he had no sympathy for Leicester City captain Wes Morgan over the incident which cost City the game at Portman Road.

Morgan was visibly incensed about two incidents and, having lost his composure, made a rare error which gifted McCarthy's strugglers the winner with five minutes left.

City boss Nigel Pearson said Morgan had been the victim of an off-the-ball kick by Michael Chopra and then an elbow by substitute Daryl Murphy. But McCarthy said Morgan should have maintained his composure.

"I think, first and foremost, he (Morgan) blocked Chopra by running across the front of him and then there was a tangle of legs," said McCarthy. "Whether Chops caught him or not I don't know.

"That upset the apple cart a bit. I think Chops jumped up with his arms a bit at a corner kick, but didn't make any contact.

"That would be the last of my worries if I was playing against Chops though. I'd be kicking the hell out of him and be making sure he didn't put the ball in the net.

"It got a little bit fractious. There were pushes in both boxes, I'm screaming for fouls, he (Nigel Pearson) is screaming for fouls, there are words between us.

"As a centre-half you have to keep your composure. As a centre-half, I went out with sole intention of upsetting the two strikers I was up against, or anyone who came anywhere near me.

"It's the one that gets upset less. He (Morgan) did and he made a mistake. When all that is going on just boot it out and get a clean sheet.

"I've got sympathy with Nigel (Pearson) but I've got no sympathy with the player. If it was my centre-half, I'd be telling him 'you let them upset you and it's cost us the game'."

Anyone who has met Wes Morgan will tell you he is a gentle giant.

Softly spoken and polite, it appears it would take quite a lot of provocation for him to lose his cool.

But lose his cool he did at Ipswich on Saturday and it proved costly for City.

Morgan, and subsequently manager Nigel Pearson, were angered by, firstly, a kick from Michael Chopra after the ball had gone, which went unpunished by Darren Deadman, a referee who is never far from controversy. Then, Morgan really lost it when he got caught by the arm of substitute Daryl Murphy.

Murphy may not have meant to catch the City skipper, and Deadman obviously felt it was accidental as he only awarded a free-kick, but Morgan was so incensed that a yellow card was brandished for his protests. Morgan obviously thought it wasn't accidental.

Through the red mist, Morgan made an error of judgement when he lost to control of the ball in his own half and Ipswich pounced, with David McGoldrick applying the killer blow.

It was becoming an increasingly fractious affair in the second half with both dug-outs exchanging views on a number of incidents.

Pearson and Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy certainly didn't share the same opinion on the importance of those two moments and the consequences of them in the post-match press conference.

Pearson pinpointed them as key in Morgan's lapse, while McCarthy was adamant Morgan should have been stronger. But regardless of the debate over Morgan and his rare slip, his mistake wasn't the only defining moment in what was a scrappy affair.

City's away form looks average at best. While 38 of their 57 points have come on home soil, they have lost eight of their 17 away games. But that doesn't tell the whole story.

Their record would, and should, be a lot better had they taken their chances in numerous games.

It is hard to think of an away game where City have not been competitive. But it is all about fine margins and City have not been ruthless enough.

Harry Kane missed a couple of gilt-edged chances in either half, the worst coming five minutes after half-time when Luke Chambers' shocking pass just outside his own penalty area should have been punished. But Kane, who only had keeper Stephen Henderson to beat, slipped the ball wide of the post.

City have 12 games in which they must claw back an eight- point deficit to the automatic promotion places, six of which are on the road.

It won't be easy but it is not impossible. But one thing is for certain – they can't afford to lose their heads again.

Richard Cockerill praised the "outstanding attitude" of his Leicester Tigers side as they put Sale Sharks to the sword at Welford Road.

The director of rugby watched his side run in six tries to beat the Aviva Premiership's bottom side 48-10.

Lock forward Ed Slater and centre Matt Smith both scored two tries apiece with a penalty try and a Mat Tait effort rounding off the scoring.

And flanker Tom Croft made a huge impact while making consecutive starts for the first time since recovering from a long-term neck injury.

"It was probably our best 80 minute performance of the season," said Cockerill. "I was delighted with how positive we played and the manner in which we played.

"With so many guys missing, and with Sale having a virtually full squad to choose from, our willingness to play was great.

"It was a really good performance from us. We wanted to play and we practised well in the week.

"The attitude of the players and the way that they approached the game was outstanding.

"It was a potential banana skin and I was surprised how easy it was to play against them, but I am delighted.

"We needed to win today and, with Quins losing, it puts everything back in the melting pot for the top two.

"The five points from this game are massive for us. We have come out of this period with 11 points from four games.

"That is not brilliant but it still keeps us in the mix with our internationals to come back."

Flanker Croft put in a memorable performance in only his fifth start since returning from nine months out of the game.

Cockerill believes Croft could return to England's Grand Slam bid as early as next week, if he was needed.

"If England have an issue, I have no hesitation that Crofty is good enough to go and play a Test match next week," said Cockerill.

"If we put ourselves in the play-off mix for the Premiership and Tom is outstanding when we play Toulon in the Heineken Cup quarter-final, clearly there is an opportunity for him to go on a British Lions tour this summer too."

Cockerill confirmed that prop Logovi'i Mulipola left the pitch with a dead leg in the first half which should not keep him out of the game for very long.

A heartwarming message of support for a seven-year-old boy who needs a kidney has come from a child thousands of miles away.

Matthew Pietrzyk, from Glenfield, was born with a rare genetic disorder which has damaged his kidneys.

The Leicester Mercury reported last week that in a bid to find a living kidney donor, and to raise awareness of organ donation, his mum, Nicola, uploaded a picture of Matthew to Facebook, appealing for a million people to "like" the image.

Now Matthew and his family have received a touching video message from a five-year-old named Jack, who lives on the Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, and had a kidney transplant himself last year.

The video, which has already been watched by more than 1,000 times, was posted on the appeal's Facebook page by Jack's parents.

In the video, Jack says: "My mum and dad have told me that you were waiting to find your new kidney. I want to tell you to hang in there buddy.

"I got my new kidney after a whole year and, even though I am little, I remember how hard it was living on the machine and having injections every day until my new kidney came.

"But keep your fight and your chin up, Matthew."

The youngster also encourages people thinking about live donation to come forward.

"To everybody that's thinking to be a donor, don't be afraid to go mate, my donor wasn't and gave me a chance to live and grow up with mum and dad and brothers and sisters," says Jack.

"I will never forget how brave my donor was and thank God and heaven for him everyday.

"Thinking of you Matthew and tell your mum and dad not to cry."

In a post under the video, Jack's dad, Darryl Scoble, said his family sent their love and support, and added: "Our family is here for your family."

Nicola, 33, said the message had helped give her family hope.

"It just overwhelmed me and was so heartwarming," she said.

"Credit to him and his parents that they have taken the time to do something so nice.

"Jack might be only five, but he summed it all up perfectly, what it is like to have to go through what he went through, and what it is like for Matthew. Matthew really liked it and because Jack is littler than him he thought he was cute, and his message was very sweet."

She said Matthew was planning to film a response.

Matthew was born with syndrome which means his kidneys get rid of protein, through his urine, that would usually transport fluids around his body.

He had both his kidneys removed and, while he waits for a donor to be found, has to endure daily dialysis sessions.

Matthew is on the national waiting list, alongside hundreds of other children. His family and friends have been tested as potential donors, but while six share his blood group, none were a suitable match.

It was when Nicola's youngest brother was found to not be a match that she launched her online campaign last month. The first picture of Matthew Nicola posted attracted 700,000 likes. She has now posted a new picture which shows Matthew holding a sign saying "Share Your Spare". It has attracted thousands of more likes.

To support Matthew online, or find out how you can help, visit Facebook and search for "A million likes for a kidney for Matthew".

Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson said Wes Morgan can justifiably feel hard done by at Portman Road on Saturday.

Two 'unsavoury' incidents contributed to a mistake from his skipper, which cost his team a point.

Morgan appeared to lose his composure after receiving an elbow from Daryl Murphy and he was booked for protesting against the challenge by referee Darren Deadman.

A few minutes later, he lost possession and the hosts broke to score the winner through David McGoldrick.

Pearson offered no excuses for his side's third defeat in their last five games, but said the Murphy challenge and an off-the-ball kick from Michael Chopra contributed to Morgan's mistake.

"We weren't at our best but we still had enough chances to get something out of the game," he said. "But there were other incidents that had an effect on the result," he said.

"Do you not think the incidents off the ball contributed to him losing his composure? As far as I concerned, my captain has been fantastic for me this year.

"I am not a sour grapes person and I don't want to look for excuses but they were unsavoury incidents off the ball which have contributed to what happened.

"The officials have a difficult job. But I have seen his position and it is appropriate for people to ask the right questions.

"He got booked for complaining about someone elbowing him in the face. Chopra kicked him off the ball just prior to that.

"It is unfortunate I am talking about things like that instead of football. The officials have the job to do and I have seen the incidents again and I can understand Wes feeling hard done to.

"It is the authorities' job to look at those again. It is not my remit."

Pearson admitted that his side were again guilty of wasting great opportunities to score. Harry Kane missed two glit-edged chances, particularly in the second half when he was one-on-one with goalkeeper Stephen Henderson.

"We have had our chances and not taken them," he said. "It is a disappointing result for us. We could have been 2-0 up, but we weren't.

"I don't think we deserved to lose the game but credit to Ipswich. They are working very hard and Mick (McCarthy) has got them well organised and they are a lot more difficult to beat now than when he arrived.

"I am disappointed and the players are disappointed.

"We have played better and we have played worse, but ultimately it is about taking your chances and we have not done that ."

A man is critically ill in hospital with head injuries after an altercation with a group of youths.

The incident happened at about 4.45pm on Wednesday, when a 44-year-old white man became involved in an altercation with one of a number of black youths in King Street, in the city centre.

The man, who was walking his Rottweiler dog, fell to the ground and suffered a head injury.

He is in the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham in a critical condition.

Police arrested a 19-year-old man on Friday in connection with the investigation. He has been released on police bail.

Anyone which information about the incident is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

The owners of Leicester City have pumped a further £14.6 million into the club since the start of this season, it is revealed today.

The cash injection comes on top of the £61.6 million which had already been injected by King Power International since they took control in 2010.

The club said it had been assured further funding would be made available from the Thai business as City enter a crucial period in their push for promotion to the Premier League.

On Saturday, the club revealed it had made a loss of £29.7 million in the year to May 31, 2012 – believed to be the highest deficit ever racked up by a Championship club.

A statement from the directors issued alongside the club's latest accounts said: "King Power International has confirmed that finance will be available to fund future trading and support the football strategy to achieve promotion back to the Premier League.

"Since June 1, 2012, £14.6 million of new funding has been provided and the directors are confident further funding will be provided as required."

The club said the money was used on players and improving the facilities at King Power Stadium.

On Friday, King Power revealed they had bought the stadium from American pension fund manager Teachers Insurance in a £17 million deal.

A statement in the accounts said the club had continued to incur trading losses in the five months to November 30, 2012.

Susan Whelan, City's chief executive, said on Saturday she was unable to provide further details on the club's financial performance so far this season.

The club's accounts do not say whether the £14.6 million of new funding is a loan.

Other cash provided by King Power, a duty-free retailer, has come in the form of loans.

The accounts show the majority of the £60 million plus which had been loaned to the club by King Power up until May 31, 2012, is subject to interest charges of 8 per cent.

City's £29.7 million loss last season has been blamed on a soaring wage bill built up during Sven-Goran Eriksson's reign as manager.

Salaries rocketed to £27.7 million from £16.6 million the previous season.

Eriksson was sacked by the club in October 2011, after serving just over a year as manager.

In a story in the Mercury on Saturday, the club chairman, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, said: "My vision is for Leicester City to take its place as a highly respected and successful Premier League club."

De Montfort University spent nearly £22,000 on a dance event that raised about £5,000 for charity, it has been revealed.

The university has published the costs of staging its DMU Heroes flash mob following a Freedom of Information request from the Leicester Mercury.

The event, in November, saw more than 1,000 students, staff and members of the public dancing their way across the university's city centre campus and nearby Castle Gardens to the tune of Bonny Tyler's 1980s rock anthem Holding Out for a Hero.

The event cost the university £21,983. The largest single expense was £15,582 on hiring a PA system, with a further £1,400 on hiring a film company to record the event.

Other costs were £2,148 for promotional banners, £846 for catering, £811 for security, £956 on electrics and £240 on rights to play the song in public.

The event was conceived by vice chancellor Professor Dominic Shellard, who led the dancing and had a starring role in a nine-minute video that has been watched nearly 5,000 times on YouTube.

He was participating in the 2012 Grant Thornton Executive Quest, which challenges bosses to come up with original fund-raising ideas.

The money raised has gone to the Loros hospice and cancer charity Prostaid.

As well as raising money for good causes, the university also said the video and publicity given to the event by the Mercury and local broadcasters had helped it recruit new students.

A university spokesman said: "It was felt that an exciting and innovative event such as the flash mob would not only raise money for the two charities, but would also help raise awareness of De Montfort University among those considering university applications."

The spokesman added: "De Montfort University holds many events aimed at enhancing our reputation, while also supporting one of our strategic aims such as establishing our academic credibility, helping the local community or making the university distinctive.

"Most of these events do not raise money, but they play an important part in sustaining student recruitment at the university during a turbulent time for higher education which has seen many universities struggle to meet the targets set by Government. De Montfort University exceeded its targets by about 25 students this year."

The university said it was impossible to say how many had signed up directly because of the flash mob.