Anthony Knockaert could be Leicester City's ace in the pack this season, believes former favourite Steve Guppy.

The popular winger, who is the only player to be capped by England at semi-professional, under-21, B and senior level, has been impressed with Knockaert's performances on City's flanks since his arrival from France last summer.

As a result, Guppy believes the France Under-21 international holds the key to unlocking packed Championship defences.

Knockaert missed the penalty at Watford in the play-off semi-final second leg, which would have put City through to Wembley and a crack at reaching the Premier League, but Guppy, inset, said that experience should have made him stronger.

"I didn't think it was a penalty in the semi-final, but fair play to the lad to step up and take it," said Guppy, who was a coach at Sunderland under his old City boss Martin O'Neill last season.

"It was a pressure situation that very few people will experience in their lives. For them to go straight up the other end and score was incredible.

"I remember when we played Leicester in pre-season last year, all the coaching staff were talking about him because he brought something different.

"He looks like the type of player who can unlock a door in a tight game.

"I think he had a good first season for Leicester. Hopefully, he will get over that disappointment at the end of the season and come back ready to put it right.

"I think he will have learned a lot last season.

"The division is so tight and a lot of teams do set up defensive minded, but it is difficult for those types of players who like to create and make things happen because quite often you are double marked.

"For him to still shine shows what a talent he is."

Guppy, who is looking to get back into coaching after leaving Sunderland when O'Neill lost his job at the club, feels City are equipped to challenge for promotion again this season.

"It won't be any easier this season," he said. "The teams that have come down from the Premier League will be there or thereabouts, but why not?

"I think Nigel Pearson has been great and done a good job.

"He has built a very solid team there so I expect them to be up there fighting for promotion with a group of others.

"It was exciting watching them last season. I only saw them on Sky really but they looked a very decent, solid Championship side.

"Nigel Pearson has built a very strong and competitive group.

"At one point it looked as though they were nailed on to go up automatically. But the Championship is so competitive, so even making the play-offs was a good effort."

Matthew Hoggard is back in the Leicestershire squad for the County Championship match against Division Two leaders Lancashire which starts at Grace Road today.

The former England seamer has so far played just three Championship matches in an injury-blighted season.

The early part of the year saw him hampered by a hip problem, and he has been sidelined more recently after injuring his groin while fielding against Yorkshire in the T20 game at Headingley last month.

County will need as strong a bowling attack as possible for the visit of unbeaten Lancs.

The slow left-arm of James Sykes will provide County's spin-bowling option with Jigar Naik now out of the picture for the remainder of the season with a dislocated shoulder.

The departure of Joe Burns for treatment on a hip injury back in Australia also means the County batting order is likely to be re-jigged.

Matthew Boyce could slot in at No.4 with Michael Thornely restored to the opening slot alongside Greg Smith, while Niall O'Brien bats at six.

Shiv Thakor is given a chance to make the No.5 berth his own.

"We've missed Ronnie Sarwan's calming influence massively at No.4," said head coach Phil Whitticase.

"Joe gave us the odd glimpse of the player he can be but didn't really produce what we wanted.

"It is difficult to bring in a replacement for a few weeks at this stage, so the opportunity is there for somebody else to shine."

Young all-rounder Tom Wells, who has been full of runs in the second team, has been added to the squad, but there is no place for one-day captain Josh Cobb.

Lancashire's batting has been built around prolific Australian left-hander Simon Katich, who has 874 runs to his name at an average of 73.

However, their real strength is in the bowling department.

Evergreen seamer Glen Chapple has 41 victims this summer and has forged an effective tandem with Kyle Hogg, who has claimed 35 scalps.

Lancs' leading wicket-taker, though, is the highly-rated slow left-armer Simon Kerrigan, who has snapped up 44 wickets at just 19.73 apiece.

A tiny camera will be inserted into a mystery lead coffin found at the Greyfriars dig site to try to establish who or what is inside.

The unexpected tomb was revealed by University of Leicester archaeologists at the New Street car park, close to the grave of Richard III.

The team has three candidates for the identity of the body in the lead coffin, which was inside a 600-year-old stone casket in the presbytery of the friary.

Site manager Mathew Morris and lead archaeologist Richard Buckley said it could contain the remains of either a medieval knight or one of two former leaders of the Grey Friars.

The team has shipped the lead container back to the university for tests.

Usual probes such as Cat scans and X-rays will not be possible because of the protective lead casing.

Instead, the academics will insert a tiny camera into the casket to see what it contains before they decide how to open it.

Richard said: "We plan first to use an endoscope to look inside, through a hole caused by corrosion at the foot end, to see whether or not there is any organic preservation.

"This will then help us to decide how to proceed with the opening and whether it needs to be done under controlled conditions in the lab."

The two-metre-long casket is the first intact coffin to be discovered in Leicester.

Archaeologists suspect the grave could belong to one of three prestigious figures known to buried at the friary.

Peter Swynsfeld, who died in 1272, and William of Nottingham, who died in 1330, were leaders of the Franciscan friars.

Records also suggest the friary contains the grave of "a knight called Mutton, sometime mayor of Leicester".

This could be a 14th century knight, Sir William de Moton of Peckleton, who died between 1356 and 1362.

However, the team has said so many people are buried in the grounds of the friary they might not find out who the mystery grave belongs to.

Mathew said: "The stone coffin was always the big thing we wanted to investigate during this dig. For me, it was as exciting as finding Richard III.

"We still don't know who is inside.

"None of us in the team has seen a lead coffin within a stone coffin before.

"We will now need to work out how to open it safely, as we don't want to damage the contents when we are opening the lid."

Tragic charity swimmer Susan Taylor was laid to rest yesterday in a coffin of purple – her favourite colour.

Hundreds of mourners gathered to say farewell to the 34-year-old, who died a mile from the French coast while swimming across the Channel for charity.

About 450 people packed into St Mary's Parish Church, in Barwell, where Susan grew up, and 50 more stood outside for the moving, 40-minute funeral service.

The coffin arrived at the church at 11am in a horse-drawn carriage – the same way Susan had arrived at St Mary's when she married Stephen in 2005.

The Swimming Song, by Vetiver, played as the coffin was carried into the church.

Mourners wore purple and bright colours after a request made by Susan's family to reflect her happy personality.

During the service, the Rev Philip Watson said: "We come wearing purple, which was her favourite colour and the colour she used on all her swimwear and even her lunchbox."

In his eulogy, Mr Watson paid tribute to Susan's charity work and her generous nature.

"She has always been a kind and caring person," he said. "She was very proud of her work for charity as ambassador for Rainbows and a fund-raiser for Diabetes UK."

Church warden David Bendell read Psalm 121 while Hinckley United FC chairman Michael Sutton read the poem I Am Free.

As the eulogy and poem were being read at the service, they were also being read at Rainbows children's hospice, in Loughborough, and a single purple balloon was released.

Susan died on July 14 after collapsing as she swam the Channel to raise money for Rainbows and Diabetes UK.

Mourners, many of whom had to stand in the packed church, laughed as Mr Watson told how Susan had met her husband while she was dancing on a table on a night out in Hinckley to celebrate her 18th birthday.

Susan's love of pop music saw Angels, by her favourite singer Robbie Williams, being played, and the Cha Cha Slide, by DJ Casper.

The vicar indulged in a little slide as he led the packed church in a hand-clap to accompany the latter.

Rock DJ, by Robbie Williams, was played as her coffin was carried out of the church, accompanied by the whole gathering applauding loudly.

After her burial, there was a party at Hinckley United FC's ground.

In the wake of Susan's death, people flocked to make donations to Rainbows and Diabetes UK.

Yesterday, those donations totalled more than £92,000.

After the funeral service, David Wright, Susan's brother, said: "Susan was brave and determined until her last stroke.

"Everyone should feel proud of what Susan achieved in her lifetime.

"The fact that her story has drawn such support from so many people, some of those who didn't even know her, is a fitting tribute to her.

"We are so proud of her."

To donate to Susan's charities, go to:

http://uk.virginmoney giving.com/creataripple

David Nugent looks certain to lead Leicester City's attack at Middlesbrough tomorrow.

The 28-year-old striker has featured in only one pre-season friendly because of calf and thigh injuries.

However, Nugent's return to full training is a huge boost for manager Nigel Pearson, who sees the former England striker's partnership with Chris Wood as key to City's promotion prospects this season.

Pearson confirmed Nugent is in contention for the club's Championship opener at the Riverside Stadium, and said: "David has been back in training this week so, providing we don't have any setback between now and the game, we should have a full squad to choose from.

"He isn't the sort of player that needs wrapping in cotton wool. He is a quick healer and the sort of player who wants to get himself back out there.

"It is making sure he is ready for it. We wouldn't risk him if we felt there was a realistic chance of him injuring himself again. It is early in the season so I would rather he missed one and then was available. If he is available, then great.

"He has a big enthusiasm to play and it is good to have that infectious sort of character."

Nugent top-scored with 14 goals last season and forged a good understanding with Wood, who netted 11 after joining in January. He finished the campaign with 20 after scoring nine on loan with Millwall at the start of the season.

Ten goals came between them in the 13 games in which they were partnered together and Pearson said it was important they rekindled their partnership this season.

"Chris is a goalscorer, bottom line," he said. "You need to have goals in the side. I think some people forget how young he is as well.

"He is a player I think will have a big impact for us this season.

"We have a number of players who enjoy playing alongside each other and I think it is important for us to get the blend right."

Motorists living near Fosse Park are being warned to prepare for more than three months of disruption due to a new safety scheme.

It has emerged that the roadworks on the Asda roundabout will require the closure of the Braunstone Town service road, off Narborough Road South, from August 12 until November 22.

That means vehicles will have to travel north to the junction of Braunstone Lane and Narborough Road if they want to head south.

Residents are expecting it to add a lot of extra time to their journeys.

The roadworks on the Asda roundabout are already expected to cause delays – and they are happening at the same time as works at the M1/M69 junction.

There will also be extra traffic in the area due to the A426 bus lane work.

Steve Webb, who lives in Shipman Road, Braunstone Town, said: "The road we use to get onto the Asda roundabout is going to be shut for 16 weeks and the whole area is going to be affected – thousands of people use it to get in and out of Braunstone Town.

"Now we have to go all the way up to the Braunstone Lane junction and that's going to add at least 15 minutes to my journey.

"But with the closure of Aylestone Lane and all the other work going on in the area, it's going to be carnage.

"Whenever you speak to people around here, they're going mad about what's happening."

Jean Hughes, 64, who lives in Lubbesthorpe Road, said: "I'm not happy about it. Every time I want to go south I have to go north, all the way to the big traffic light junction.

"It will take a lot of extra time. I'm sure everyone's annoyed about it."

John Timson, 34, another Lubbesthorpe Road resident, said: "It's a real pain. I don't see why it has to happen."

A Leicestershire County Council spokesman apologised for the disruption.

He said: "Letters have been sent to residents outlining a planned closure of the Narborough Road South (west service road). This is in order to carry out part of a £2.7m scheme to improve safety and ease congestion on the nearby Asda roundabout.

"Residents' properties on the west service road will be accessible via diversion routes.

"Bus access will be maintained along the service road for most of the work, and we are working to find ways to minimise disruption to residents and businesses.

"It is important that this work is carried out in a safe and efficient way and we would like apologise to residents in advance for any inconvenience this closure may cause and thank them for their patience, which we are confident will ultimately be rewarded by the improved road safety and reduced congestion the completed scheme will bring to them and the surrounding communities."

A man abandoned his ill, emaciated dog by chaining the pet to the fence of an animal sanctuary in freezing weather, a court heard.

Stephen Joyce was found guilty in his absence at Leicester Magistrates' Court of seven cruelty charges – two of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal and five of failing to ensure an animal's welfare.

Kevin McCole, prosecuting for the RSPCA, told magistrates that at 5.10pm on February 5 this year Abi Tobin, who runs the Redgate Farm Animal Sanctuary, Shaw Lane, Markfield, received a call telling her there was a dog tied to her gate.

He said: "She went and saw the dog tied with a choke-chain and lead. It was a black male Staffordshire bull terrier with a docked tail.

"The dog was starving, malnourished. He seemed petrified and very keen to get inside."

Ms Tobin put water and food down and contacted the RSPCA, where a vet found the animal was emaciated, his skin was yellowish, with a very thin coat, fleas, multiple sores and small abscesses.

Mr McCole said the state of the animal's skin suggested had been kept in unsuitable, dirty conditions.

He added: "When first taken in the dog weighed 15kg but, five weeks later he was 22.5kg, which is normal and he showed a marked improvement."

RSPCA officers traced the dog's owner – Joyce (30), of Belvoir Road, Coalville – by a microchip implant and learned the animal's name was Charlie.

Joyce told them he was going through "issues in his life" and suffered from depression.

Mr McCole said Joyce admitted to inspectors that he had not taken Charlie for any veterinary treatment and was unaware that he was eligible for help from the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals."

"He said he had never thought of contacting any animal welfare organisations for help and pride had got in the way – he could only apologise."

Charlie has made a full recovery and is up for adoption at Redgate Farm.

After the hearing, Ms Tobin said: "He was very lucky on that night that my work overran and I received the phone call. He was extremely emaciated and cold."

Joyce did not attend the court hearing on Thursday. A warrant has been issued for him to attend court for sentencing.

A man who was challenged by Leicester city wardens for dropping a cigarette end in the street claimed his instinct told him the men were not officials.

Samm Dunkley (22), of Hobill Close, Huncote, pleaded guilty at Leicester Magistrates' Court to depositing litter in Church Street, in the city centre, and giving a false name and address to the council on January 21.

Nicki Agalamanyi, for Leicester City Council, said Dunkley was seen dropping the cigarette end by street wardens, one of whom told him he would have to pay a £80 penalty charge and told him how to pay it.

She said Dunkley gave a name and address which was actually for a neighbour, who contacted the council by e-mail and phone saying he knew nothing about the incident.

Mrs Agalamanyi said the maximum fine for littering was £2,500 and the maximum for giving false information was £1,000.

Dunkley said: "I dropped the cigarette end and heard someone shout 'Oi !' from behind me and saw two quite big men.

"My instinct was that they were not officials – they did not look like anyone official and, when one of them got out his identification, it was just a scruffy white bit of paper. It all seemed dubious – when he started talking about £80 I thought he was trying to get money from me so I gave the false details."

He said the wardens were intimidating, had taken a photo of him and told him they knew where he worked.

"If the officer had given me his proper details this would never have happened. I never wanted a criminal record and I respect the law – I just did not think they were who they claimed to be."

Dunkley was fined £60 for dropping litter and £50 for giving false information, with £100 costs and £20 victim surcharge.

A couple who left a four-year-old boy alone to die after subjecting him to months of "unprecedented" starvation and horrifying cruelty have both been jailed for at least 30 years.

Magdelena Luczak and Mariusz Krezolek listened intently in the dock but showed no sign of emotion as Mrs Justice Cox condemned their "unfathomable" campaign of brutality against Daniel Pelka.

Daniel's mother and stepfather, both originally from Poland, were unanimously convicted of murder on Wednesday after blaming each other for the head injury which ultimately caused his death.

A nine-week trial heard that Daniel, whose death is the subject of a serious case review by Coventry's Safeguarding Children Board, weighed just one stone, 9lbs when he died in March last year.

During his final months, Daniel was denied food, forced to perform energy-sapping punishment exercises, confined in a locked box room, poisoned with salt and subjected to water torture.

The serious case review is investigating whether more could have been done to save Daniel, who was seen scavenging for food in bins at Coventry's Little Heath Primary School.

The youngster, whose mother covered up the abuse by claiming he had an eating disorder, was also the subject of a social services inquiry after suffering a broken arm in January 2011. Krezolek, 34, and Luczak, 27, were both jailed for life and ordered to serve minimum terms of 30 years before the Parole Board can even consider their release.

Sentencing, Mrs Justice Cox said she believed Krezolek had inflicted Daniel's fatal head injury.

She told them: "Harrowing details of the unimaginable acts of cruelty and brutality inflicted on Daniel have exposed both the torment and despair he must have suffered and your callous disregard for his pain and distress."

A man who illegally obtained £250,000 through money laundering for his cousin has been jailed for four years.

Gurdev Singh (35) of Uppingham Road, Thurnby, pleaded guilty at Leicester Crown Court to committing the crime by setting up two motor dealership companies and using their bank accounts to pass through money for his cousin Gurdip Singh, who was sentenced to three years and 10 months in February.

Gurdev Singh also pleaded guilty to two charges of fraud by breaking bankruptcy conditions by changing his name and buying property in the names of his mother and wife.

Prosecutor Andrew Peet said he had changed his name in October 2005 and declared himself bankrupt in May 2006.

It was not said in court why he had declared himself bankrupt.

Mr Peet said: "He said he was single, had no assets and had been reduced to living with a friend, claiming that he had £83,748.65 in debts."

He said, in reality, he was married with three children and had assets.

In September, 2006, he bought three properties in the names of his mother and his wife.

Gurdev Singh changed his name a second time to Bill Singh in July 2007 so he could continue to conduct business.

He set up two motor dealership businesses which he used to launder money for his cousin who, said Mr Peet, was a "father figure" to him.

Baljit Garcha, in mitigation, said Gurdev Singh was of previous good character, as supported by letters from his father and other relatives, and had always upheld the family name.

Mr Garcha said: "He has undergone a complete change of demeanour and, instead of being a cheerful, happy and outgoing person, has become very withdrawn."

He said his cousin Gurdip Singh had a very close relationship with him.

"He (Gurdip) is a father figure to him and he (Gurdev) went along with what he was told to do."

Passing sentence, Judge Philip Head said on the bankruptcy charges he had "systematically" lied when being interviewed by insolvency officers and filling in forms.

The judge said that, on the money-laundering offences, both businesses had been set up for the specific purpose.

He said: "You knew that the money he passed on was from proceeds of crime, theft and fraud by him. You sought to cover your tracks by lying."

Singh was sentenced to a year for the bankruptcy fraud and three years for money laundering, to run consecutively.

He was told he would spend half the time in custody and the remainder on warrant.

A 100-year-old woman celebrated her landmark birthday yesterday with an afternoon tea party with her family.

Jean Ironside, who lives in Vista's Kathleen Rutland Home, in Leicester Forest East, also received the traditional telegram of congratulations from the Queen.

Paul Sykes, manager of the home, said, "Jean is a wonderful lady and we are proud to be able to offer her the support and care she needs.

"We wished her a very happy 100th birthday and many more to come."

Miss Ironside was born in 1913 to the family who ran Ironside Solicitors in Leicester, but chose to become a speech and phonetics teacher.

She ran her own clinics in Market Street and New Walk, Leicester, before becoming a phonetics lecturer at Scraptoft University, in Leicester.

Five years after losing her sight in 2004, Miss Ironside chose to move from her home in Rothley to the home run by Vista, a charity for blind and partially sighted people.

Staff said she is much loved by them and the residents.