Leicester City top-scorer David Nugent could return from injury to face Leeds tonight (7.45).

The striker has missed the last two games with a neck injury he aggravated at Blackpool just over a week ago.

But he has returned to training and manager Nigel Pearson said as long as Nugent had no adverse reaction following training yesterday, he would be considered for a recall.

However, Matty James will again miss out because of a knee injury, while Sean St Ledger stepped up his rehabilitation from a hamstring problem with a run-out in the development squad's 3-1 win at Coventry yesterday.

"David trained on Sunday to see if there was any reaction," said Pearson.

"He was okay to train again yesterday and, providing there is no adverse reaction to that session, he may be considered for the game.

"Matty will be unavailable again. I can't give an idea of when he will be back just yet but, hopefully, not for too long.

"Sean travelled with us at the weekend and played in the development squad, so he is getting close."

Meanwhile, Pearson said City will hold talks this week with Manchester United over a possible deal for Jeff Schlupp. The striker has been training with the Premier League leaders since January and has played in two development squad games for them.

Pearson said there is likely to be some news on his future by the end of the week.

The Ghana international has reportedly impressed at Old Trafford with his displays, and there are reports that United were considering to offer City £2.5million after add-ons for the 20-year-old.

"I think we will be discussing this week what the next step is," said Pearson.

"He has done well and played the two games he can play there. Clearly it is going to have some sort of effect this week.

"The clubs will discuss it first and foremost. He might be available for us the Leeds game, you never know."

Michael Keane headed a stoppage-time equaliser to snatch a 1-1 draw for Leicester and deal Leeds' npower Championship play-off hopes a blow.

Foxes defender Keane nodded in Martyn Waghorn's 93rd-minute corner at the far post when it seemed Leeds had clinched their third win in four matches.

Sam Byram's third goal of the season put Leeds on course for their first away win of the year in the league, but just as it appeared the visitors' play-off challenge had been given added momentum, Keane's last-gasp effort rescued Leicester a point.

Leeds, who had not won on their travels in the league since victory at Huddersfield on December 1, were grateful to goalkeeper Paddy Kenny, who saved brilliantly from Anthony Knockaert and Harry Kane in the first half.

But Neil Warnock's side carved out as many chances as Leicester, for whom Kasper Schmeichel was also in fine form against his former club and whose own promotion hopes had suffered a setback following Saturday's defeat at Ipswich.

The Foxes made just one change with striker David Nugent back following a neck injury, while Leeds boss Neil Warnock named the same starting line-up for the fourth successive match.

Leicester midfielder Knockaert fired the game's first chance over the crossbar from inside the penalty area after 37 seconds and home striker Chris Wood lifted his shot over from even closer nine minutes later.

Leeds responded and almost opened the scoring when they launched their first attack, left-back Stephen Warnock crossing for right-back Byram, whose goalbound header was parried by Leicester goalkeeper Schmeichel at full stretch.

Leeds midfielder David Norris and Wood traded long-range shots that were held by Schmeichel and visiting keeper Kenny respectively before Kane, on loan from Tottenham, forced the latter into a fine save with a raking 25-yard effort.

Teenager Kane, making his third appearance since arriving at the end of last month, was prominent for the home side.

He lashed another 25-yard shot wide and Kenny pulled off another smart save to turn away Wood's curling effort 10 minutes before the break.

Leeds had soaked up considerable pressure, but broke away to threaten Schmeichel's goal again when Byram's clever cutback in the area was drilled wide, before another superb Kenny save kept out Knockaert's free-kick after former foxes defender Lee Peltier had fouled Wood.

But it was Leeds who broke the deadlock seven minutes into the second half.

Ross McCormack swung over a corner from the left and when the ball broke loose six yards from goal, Byram tucked it home into the bottom corner.

Leicester were then dealt another blow when defender Paul Konchesky was forced off injured and replaced by Lloyd Dyer and Schmeichel was at his alert best soon after when saving McCormack's bullet from 25 yards with his feet.

Foxes boss Pearson sent on winger Ben Marshall for Knockaert on the hour-mark, but both sides found goalscoring chances hard to come by in the final quarter.

Wood's driven effort in the box rebounded back off team-mate Nugent in the 79th minute and Kane was off target from the edge of the area, but deep in time added on Keane rose at the far post to power home Waghorn's corner.

Queensland top-order batsman Joe Burns is the man Leicestershire have turned to as a replacement for Ramnaresh Sarwan when the skipper is on West Indies duty this summer.

The 23-year-old Burns is already proving an accomplished player in all formats of the game.

He averages 41 in first-class cricket and, only last month, showed his one-day ability with a century as Australia A defeated England Lions.

Burns, who holds a British passport, also starred for Brisbane Heat as they won Australia's Big Bash T20 tournament, smashing 43 to help his side defeat Perth in the final.

His runs in that tournament came with an impressive strike-rate of 129 per 100 balls.

Sarwan will play the first five County Championship games, but is then expected to be involved with West Indies as they play in the Champions Trophy.

A home one-day series is next, with the launch of the inaugural Caribbean Premier League following in late July.

Sarwan is now likely to be available for the final quartet of four-day matches, leaving Burns to fill in from May 15 to August 30, playing seven Championship matches, 11 YB40 games – and the Foxes' entire FL T20 campaign.

"I am very excited to get the opportunity to join Leicestershire for the 2013 season," said Burns.

"In my discussions with the staff, I feel this is a fantastic opportunity for me to continue to develop my cricket, and to perform at the highest level.

"I've heard great things about the club's set-up and players, and I am very motivated with the ambition of promotion in the County Championship.

"I'm looking forward to joining up with the team in May and contributing to a successful and enjoyable season."

County head coach Phil Whitticase said: "Joe's availability, before departing for the 2013 Champions League with Brisbane Heat at the end of August, dovetails perfectly with Ronnie Sarwan, and we expect both players to make a big impact during the season."

Whitticase said the County new boy had already demonstrated an eye for detail.

"He is athletic with good energy, and is bright and mature – Joe has already got 'Duke' red balls lined up to practice with before he comes over here," said Whitticase.

"He has done his homework on Leicestershire and is looking forward to the challenge. He is hungry to come to us and be successful."

County chief executive Mike Siddall is hoping that Burns, who is a winner of the coveted Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year award in his home country, can follow in the footsteps of a couple of his compatriots.

"We are hoping he will have a similar impact at Grace Road as previous Australian overseas players, Brad Hodge and Michael Bevan," said Siddall.

"Joe is on the fringes of the Australian team and will be keen to impress during an Ashes year in England."

County have also added former Gloucestershire seamer Anthony Ireland to their squad.

The 28-year-old, who has played 26 one-day internationals for Zimbabwe, will add to the competition for places in the Leicestershire attack.

Ireland has played 41 first-class matches, with 122 wickets to his name at a respectable average of 30 apiece.

Six men have been committed to appear at Leicester Crown Court in connection with the alleged exploitation of a 16-year-old girl.

Following a hearing at Leicester Magistrates' Court yesterday, four of the defendants were remanded in custody while two were granted conditional bail.

All six men are due to attend Crown Court on April 22 for a plea and case management hearing.

None gave any indication of plea at yesterday's hearing.

Aabidali Mubarak Ali (39), of Guthlaxton Street, Highfields, Leicester, is charged with five counts of paying for the sexual services of a child, five counts of trafficking within the UK for sexual exploitation, two counts of facilitating child prostitution and two counts of inciting child prostitution.

Rakib Iacub (20), of Maynard Road, Highfields, Leicester, is charged with four counts of paying for the sexual services of a child, two counts of trafficking within the UK for sexual exploitation and one of facilitating child prostitution. Hamza Imtiazali (25), of Kashmior Road, Belgrave, Leicester, is charged with two counts of paying for the sexual services of a child, two counts of facilitating child prostitution and one of inciting child prostitution.

Bharat Modhwadia (25), of Wycombe Road, Humberstone, Leicester, is charged with inciting child prostitution, inciting child pornography, paying for the sexual services of a child and trafficking within the UK for sexual exploitation. Wajid Usman (22), of East Park Road, Leicester, is charged with two counts of inciting child pornography.

Chandresh Mistry (37), of Berridge Lane, Belgrave, Leicester, is charged with attempting to pay for the sexual services of a child.

Modhwadia and Mistry were granted bail on condition they reside at addresses given to the court and report to police on a daily basis. Modhwadia was excluded from Leicester except when attending court.

Leicester City captain Wes Morgan believes young central defender Michael Keane is destined for the very top.

Keane has been immensely impressive alongside Morgan at the heart of City's defence since his arrival on loan from Manchester United.

Not only that, he has been chipping in with the odd goal here and there, including the crucial last-gasp equaliser in the 1-1 draw against Leeds on Tuesday night.

Although it is the 20-year-old's first loan spell, and first experience of first-team football, he has looked a class-act.

Morgan says Keane is destined to be a top Premier League player.

"I have been so impressed with him," said Morgan. "To come here from Manchester United reserves, where he played mainly with lads his own age, to step into the Championship where you play week in and week out, and it is hustle and bustle, where there is no respite and lots of experienced players, he has done remarkably well.

"That is testament to the guy. He is definitely one for the future.

"He has had a lot to learn in a short space of time and, if you can play at this level, I am sure you can play at any level. He has a lot of attributes to play at the highest level.

"I look forward to seeing him in the future. I have no doubt he will play for United's first team. I play with him and see him in training every day.

"He will definitely be a star of the future, if that is at Manchester United or another big club, who knows. But he definitely will be one of the players people will talk about in the future."

An armed robber threatened betting shop staff and escaped with cash yesterday.

The man walked into the Ladbrokes branch in Gipsy Lane, Leicester, at 1.40pm.

Police said he brandished a weapon at staff behind a counter and ordered them to hand over a bag of cash. It is understood members of the public were inside the shop at the time.

The man took the money and headed towards nearby Barkby Road.

Police said no-one was injured in the incident. They have not revealed what weapon the man was carrying.

However, businesses and residents said they had heard the man was armed with a gun.

A member of Ladbrokes regional staff who was visiting the shop yesterday afternoon said the firm had handed CCTV footage to police.

The member of staff, who asked not to be named, said: "I have not seen the CCTV, but I believe he was in and out quite quickly.

"The main thing is, nobody was injured and the staff are fine – although they were obviously shaken up."

Detectives have visited neighbouring shops and retrieved footage from CCTV cameras which look out on to the area in front of the parade of shops.

Anand Gandhi, owner of the neighbouring Bargain Booze shop, said: "People are saying this man had a gun, which is very shocking.

"Some of the women in the shops were saying they were very scared when they heard there had been an armed robbery at the betting shop.

"This a busy parade of shops in a good residential area. I've been here for seven years now and I've never known anything like this to happen."

Ladbrokes has a second shop several doors along the parade of shops. A customer said: "They are good people who work at Ladbrokes and I hate the idea of someone threatening them with any kind of weapon."

Ratilal Govind, chairman of the Belgrave United Neighbourhood Watch, said: "It is very upsetting to hear a firearm might have been involved.

"We have had shops robbed in this area in the past, but I have never known of cases where a firearm was used.

"If it was real that would be unique as far as I know – and I have lived in this area for more than 40 years."

Detective Sergeant Simon Head said: "Investigations are in their early stages.

"I would like to appeal for anyone who was in the area at about 1.40pm and saw a man in dark clothing to come forward and speak to police.

"Gipsy Lane is usually fairly busy throughout the day. Maybe you were passing and saw someone acting suspiciously? You may not have thought anything of it at the time, but it could be vital to our investigation."

Contact Leicestershire police on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police officers Sue Marsh, Pete Smith and Chris Perry were on duty at Melton police station when a man in his 60s suffered a heart attack and collapsed outside. But thanks to their quick thinking, Lawrence Brown made a full recovery.

All three were each presented with the Chief Constable's Resuscitation Certificate at the ceremony on Tuesday.

Remembering the incident, on January 3 last year, Pcso Smith said: "The gentleman had fallen outside so I went out and helped him to his feet. It was an awful day – chucking it down with rain."

Pcso Smith helped Mr Brown inside the station, where he started complaining of pains.

Pcso Marsh, whose husband Tony died of a heart attack, recognised the symptoms of cardiac arrest.

"It was the same as Tony 14 years ago. I noticed all the signs," she said.

While paramedics made their way to the police station, Pcso Smith and Pc Perry took turns at heart compressions on Mr Brown for 10 minutes before the medic arrived, then for a further 30 minutes while the medic used a defibrillator to try to get his heartbeat stable.

Pcso Smith said: "The paramedic had to shock him a few times and 40 minutes doing heart compressions, even with myself and Chris taking turns, was quite a workout."

Mr Brown had been lapsing in and out of consciousness. After he was taken to hospital, the officers had no idea whether he would live.

However, they soon received a phone call telling them the good news.

In fact, it was much sooner than they had expected when Chris received a phone call to let everyone know.

Pc Perry said: "He had seemed in a bad way when he left our station but they called the same afternoon and told us he was sat up in bed having a cup of tea."

Mr Brown now visits the station to thank the staff.

"He's always so grateful and it's nice he keeps in touch," said Pcso Marsh.

They also received a thank you letter from Mr Brown's sister, Margaret, which said: "Thank you for what you did for my brother.

"What would we all do without you?"

Two young sisters have lost their battle to get the traffic near their home slowed down to protect pets and children.

Hope and Gabrielle Gagin live in St Mary's Close, Broughton Astley, near to Frolesworth Road, which brings traffic into the village.

The girls know several cats have been injured by cars and, worried the same thing could happen to a child, Hope, 13, and Gabrielle, 10, started a petition calling for traffic calming measures in Frolesworth Road.

In November, having collected 93 signatures, the girls presented the petition to a meeting of the Harborough Highways Forum, which is made up of local borough and county councillors.

However, they have now received a letter from Leicestershire County Council saying that the recorded number of injury accidents and the speed of vehicles using the road did not justify traffic calming measures.

Hope said: "I'm a bit disappointed but I'm glad they took us seriously.

"They were really nice when we went to the meeting to speak, even though we were really nervous about doing it.

"If anyone does get hurt on the road we will be campaigning again."

Gabrielle said: "I don't really know what's going to happen now because people are still driving like crazy down there and it's just as bad as it was before.

"I think more cats are going to get hurt."

The girls' mum, Paula, said: "The council wrote to say there just weren't enough reported accidents within the time period they looked at so they wouldn't do anything. The one accident there happened in the winter and was caused by snow.

"The council has been good at keeping Hope and Gabrielle informed and there's not much more that can be done now.

"They're both disappointed no action is being taken but they have been really pleased about how much notice was taken of them."

A Leicestershire County Council spokesman said: "We would like to thank Hope and Gabrielle for their petition and we appreciate their concerns.

"Following the submission of their petition we have carried out further investigations as to whether traffic calming measures should be installed on Frolesworth Road. Records show that, in the last 36 months, there have been no recorded injury accidents within the 30mph limit in Frolesworth Road.

"Also, the latest speed information shows that the majority of vehicles – 85 per cent – were driving at or below 33mph. These record and traffic speeds do not justify funding for road safety measures.

"However, we will monitor the situation and, if necessary, will take action in the future."

Experts are to investigate what led a training organisation to build up debts of £1 million before it collapsed, leaving 285 young people without jobs and courses.

A report has revealed that Stride, in Leicester city centre, owed a seven-figure sum when it went under last month.

The company collapsed after Revenue and Customs officials launched a legal bid to retrieve £200,000 in unpaid taxes.

As a result, the Royal Bank of Scotland froze its account, leaving directors with no choice but to cease operations.

Stride taught budding bricklayers, car mechanics, beauticians and caterers.

Liquidator Neil Money, who will now look into what caused the financial problems, said Stride had been struggling for "some considerable time" before the collapse.

Mr Money, of insolvency practitioner CBA, in Leicester, said: "There are a number of areas of investigation I will be pursuing in respect to the collapse of the company.

"I think they grew too quickly. There was a change in Government policy and as a result funding was reduced. But they had the same overheads."

Mr Money said the organisation had signed leases for properties when the going was good which were difficult to get out of when the cash dried up.

When Stride closed three weeks ago, 85 apprentices and 33 staff at the group were made redundant. Another 200 students saw their training courses come to an abrupt end.

As well as the £200,000 owed to Revenue and Customs, £250,000 was owed to landlords, £130,000 to staff in redundancy payments and wages, £100,000 to a charitable fund and £75,000 to Royal Bank of Scotland.

Of the debt to landlords, £180,000 was to Leicester Social Economy Consortium, a sister business which owns property, including many of Stride's former buildings in and around Belgrave Gate. The remaining debts were to businesses which had supplied goods and services.

Rory Palmer, deputy city mayor, said: "There are some serious questions which have to be answered.

"My priority is the young people.

"While there are organisations which appear to be owed money, for me the people who stand to lose out the most are the staff of Stride and the young people who were on the courses there."

Former staff have set up a company to help those left in the lurch by the closure.

Natalie Gibson, of Trans4m, said she had so far contacted about 40 of the 85 apprentices to offer assistance.

Speaking last month, Stride's former chief executive, David Brazier blamed both a drop in Government funding and the difficult economic climate.

He said at the time: "Stride grew rapidly to 2008 and invested in further expansion, unfortunately just before the credit crunch hit."

Stride was set up in 2000 by city homelessness charity Sharp, which is unaffected by the closure.

Leicester's rivals for the 2017 UK City of Culture crown have been revealed.

Bosses from the city's arts scene, businesses and politicians are preparing a bid to land the title currently held by Londonderry, in Northern Ireland.

They hope winning the Government competition will raise the national and international profile of the city, attracting huge numbers of visitors, creating tourism jobs and boosting the local economy by millions of pounds.

It was already known Aberdeen and Plymouth would be among Leicester's challengers for 2017 and yesterday Culture Minister Ed Vaizey revealed the other contenders.

They are Chester, Dundee, East Kent (covering Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone and Thanet), Hastings and Bexhill on Sea, Hull, Portsmouth and Southampton, Southend on Sea, and Swansea Bay (covering Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Neath and Port Talbot).

They must submit bids to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport by April and a shortlist of four will be chosen in June. The winner will be announced in November.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, who chairs a consortium putting together Leicester's bid, said: "I have been to some of the other places and undoubtedly some of them are very interesting. However, I am confident any impartial observer will see that none of them can match Leicester's unique mixture of cultures.

"We have a brilliant opportunity here and, having seen our rivals, I am confident in our chances."

Curve theatre chief executive Fiona Allan, who is also on the consortium, said she too was confident.

"I don't want to name and shame anywhere else but when I read the list I was still confident we would be shortlisted," she said.

"I think our main rivals could be Plymouth and Aberdeen, who were the first to announce bids. Both could be formidable opponents.

"One of our great advantages is that this is already an international city.

"We reflect a modern, cosmopolitan United Kingdom, while still offering a rich heritage and fascinating history."

Mr Vaizey said: "Thisshows the appetite for the prestigious City of Culture title is in healthy supply right across the length and breadth of the country."

All 11 contenders have until April to submit their initial bids, which will be considered by the panel.

Leicester City Council has pledged £50,000 to cover stage one of the bid but any further money is likely to have to be raised through private sector sponsorship.

Martin Traynor, consortium member and chief executive of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: "Our city has such a rich variety of cultures and that is a great strength. There will be some very strong bids but I think we have a very good chance of winning."

•Are you from one of the 10 rival areas but now live in Leicester? Tell us your thoughts on your home town and Leicester's chances. Call 0116 222 4241, or e-mail: newsdesk@leicestermercury.co.uk and include your name and phone number.