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Leicester 1 Man City 3: City outclassed by Premier big boys - match report

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Leicester City (0) 1 Dyer (77)Manchester City (2) 3 Kolarov (8), Dzeko (41, 53) Leicester City were comfortably beaten by a classy Manchester City in the Capital One Cup quarter-final. Edin Dzeko pressed his case for a regular run in the Man City side with two goals. With top scorer Sergio Aguero facing at least a month out, Dzeko took his chance to shine at the King Power Stadium by netting twice after Aleksandar Kolarov opened the scoring with a free-kick. Leicester, third in the Championship, had gone into the game with confidence but were outclassed by a City side showing eight changes but finished strongly and claimed a deflected Lloyd Dyer consolation. Even though Manuel Pellegrini rotated his squad, the City side he fielded was still too powerful for the Foxes. Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Pablo Zabaleta were the players retained from the weekend while Joleon Lescott and James Milner were among those to come in with Hart. City could at least take heart from the way they finished ahead of their crunch clash with QPR. It soon became apparent that the Premier League side, for all Leicester's enthusiasm, were a cut above, even at half-pace. Kasper Schmeichel was exposed all too easily and but for the Leicester keeper the visitors may have inflicted more damage. Jack Rodwell first tested him from inside the area after combining nicely with Dzeko. Schmeichel could do little to keep out Kolarov's superb free-kick after eight minutes, the Serbian curling into the top corner from 30 yards after City had broken from deep. Leicester responded well but were unable to find the final ball. One promising break was ended crudely when Jesus Navas bundled over Dyer but generally City, well marshalled by Kompany, looked to have ironed out recent vulnerabilities. Gradually the chances began to come for City as Dzeko had a shot blocked, Rodwell screwed wide and a fierce Kolarov drive was punched behind by Schmeichel. Kompany had a header from a corner blocked, Rodwell curled another shot wide and Silva also missed the target. Dzeko went very close to a second as he turned outside the area and curled a left-foot shot millimetres wide of the far post. The Bosnian finally got on the scoresheet five minutes before the break as headed past Schmeichel from a well-weighted Milner cross. Milner and Navas then both brought further saves out of Schmeichel before the interval. Schmeichel was in action again, saving from Dzeko within moments of the restart but he could not prevent him scoring again for long. Milner again cut through Leicester on the left and Dzeko turned in his cut-back at the near post past an unsighted Schmeichel, who made his anger with the defence clear. At the other end, Hart had hardly been troubled, although he did need to keep out one Andy King effort. Silva then tested Schmeichel again before leaving the field, but things hardly threatened to ease up for Leicester as Samir Nasri took his place. Yet Leicester did manage to finish with a flourish and Dyer took in a ball from Paul Konchesky and lashed in a shot which took a wicked deflection off Kompany and beat a wrong-footed Hart. Substitutes Matty James and Jeff Schlupp also gave Hart some shots to save but Leicester were unable to set up a frantic finale. TEAMS Leicester City (4-4-2): 1 Kasper Schmeichel, 27 Marcin Wasilewski, 5 Wes Morgan, 23 Ignasi Miquel, 3 Paul Konchesky; 24 Anthony Knockaert, 4 Danny Drinkwater, 10 Andy King, 11 Lloyd Dyer; 22 Gary Taylor-Fletcher, 35 David Nugent. Subs: 2 Ritchie De Laet, 7 Dean Hammond, 9 Jamie Vardy (for Taylor-Fletcher, half-time), 15 Jeff Schlupp (for Nugent, 68min), 8 Matty James (for Knockaert, half-time),18 Liam Moore, 25 Conrad Logan Manchester City (4-5-1): 1 Joe Hart; 5 Pablo Zabaleta (38 Dedryck Boyata, 12min), 4 Vincent Kompany, 6 Joleon Lescott, 13 Aleksandar Kolarov; 14 Javi Garcia, 17 Jack Rodwell, 15 Jesus Navas, 21 David Silva (8 Samir Nasri, 70min), 7 James Milner; Edin Dzeko. Subs not used: 9 Alvaro Negrado, 25 Fernandinho, 26 Martin Demichelis, 30 Costel Pantilimon Attendance: 31,319 Referee: Roger East (Wiltshire) YELLOW CARDS Leicester City: None Manchester City: Navas (22min), Boyata (34min)

Leicester 1 Man City 3: City outclassed by Premier big boys - match report


Leicester City 1 Manchester City 3 - 'We were severely punished for errors,' says Pearson

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Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson said his side were "severely punished" for their mistakes as they crashed out of the Capital One Cup at the hands of Manchester City. A stunning 30-yard free-kick from Aleksandar Kolarov was followed up by an Edin Dzeko double as City lost 3-1 to the Premier League giants. Lloyd Dyer, who had been City's most potent attacking threat all evening, pulled one back for the hosts but turned out to be a mere consolation. The City boss said his side should have done better with a couple of Man City's goals. "We were beaten by a very good side but we were punished severely for one or two mistakes," said Pearson after the game "I would have liked us to keep it a bit tighter for longer but we were severely punished. "We improved in the second half and I think the players deserve a bit of credit for trying to put them under pressure. "We got a goal back and I think it would be very easy to allow a side with Man City's quality to dominate totally and really rub the salt in the wounds. "The players kept going and that was important but we are still really disappointed for not keeping it tighter for longer. "Early goals are always a key influence on that and conceding so close to half-time really did change the complexion. "At 1-0 you are always in the game. That was disappointing. There are still positives to take out of it, certainly the way we came back in the second half. "I know that we can play better and I'm disappointed to go out of the competition." Pearson paid tribute to a Man City side whose starting line-up had an estimated value of £156 million. "I don't think people quite appreciate the quality of our opponents tonight," he said. "They might not look like they are playing at a very high tempo but their ball management is very, very good. They are an excellent side."

Leicester City 1 Manchester City 3 - 'We were severely punished for errors,' says Pearson

Sam Bailey sings for Leicester City fans in half-time performance

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Leicester City fans were treated to a live preview of the song Sam Bailey hopes will be the Christmas number one. The X Factor winner sang Skyscraper as part of a half-time performance during the David and Goliath clash between Leicester and Manchester City. Sam's version of the Demi Lovato track is the bookies' favourite to grab the coveted Christmas number one slot on Sunday, with odds of 1/3. Sam, 36, of Leicester Forest East, is a long-time Leicester City fan and has spoken about how much she has missed going to matches at the King Power Stadium during her four months appearing on the ITV1 show. Leicester City fan Lizzie Geary, 29, of Humberstone, Leicester, who was in the stadium for the match, said: "She went down really well and did Skyscraper and she did a cover version of Whitney Houston's How Will I Know? "It was fantastic. The crowd were chanting her name when she came on to the pitch. "As well as singing to said thank you and told everyone she couldn't have won X Factor without the support of Leicester people."

Sam Bailey sings for Leicester City fans in half-time performance

Can you solve mystery of the old Leicester city bus spotted in Belgium?

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An unexpected encounter with a relic of Leicester's transport past greeted retired firefighter Jerry Askham during a sightseeing visit to Belgium. The 56-year-old, from Knighton, Leicester, took this photograph during a day out in the medieval city of Ghent. "My wife Trisha and I were driving down to meet some friends in Moselle, Germany, when we decided to stop and see the sights in Ghent," he said. "It's a beautiful medieval city, but the sight that struck me the most was this bus. "We were by the old town hall when this old double decker rolled up to drop off a wedding party. "I thought 'that's a bit quirky' but imagine my surprise when I saw the destination board listed 'via Granby Halls and Welford Road'. "We couldn't believe it!" Jerry added: "I tried to talk the driver but he only spoke Belgium and wasn't having any of it. "I'm old enough to remember those buses when I was a kid growing up in Braunstone Town. "And it was really nice to see a bit of old Leicester had followed us to Europe. "I'm not an expert on buses but I'd be fascinated if someone with greater knowledge than I recognises the registration and could tell us a little more about it." Can you solve the mystery? Let us know by posting a comment below or emailing: reporter davidowen@leicestermercury.co.uk

Can you solve mystery of the old Leicester city bus spotted in Belgium?

15-year-old with 51 offences on his record jailed for Eyres Monsell and Saffron Lane robberies

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A 15-year-old boy who mugged two young men in separate street attacks has been jailed for three years and four months. Tommy Stephen Smith, who has 51 offences on his record, including several muggings, left both victims needing medical treatment. One of them was threatened at knifepoint and the other received a cut face requiring 10 stitches, Leicester Crown Court was told. Smith was with two accomplices when he accosted the first victim, aged 18, in the Caversham Road area of Eyres Monsell, Leicester, at 9.30pm on September 8 this year. The man was grabbed from behind and his arms pinned behind his back. Victoria Rose, prosecuting, said: "He was punched to the face and one of the robbers produced a knife and held it at his throat. "They removed his phone, before punching him in the face causing him to fall to the floor. "He was kicked in the stomach and legs." He suffered swelling and bruising to his face, ribs and leg. A short time later, Smith was alone in Saffron Lane when he stopped a man cycling home from a night shift at McDonald's Fosse Park. He asked for a light for his cigarette and became intimidating, clenching his fists in a threatening manner. Miss Rose said: "The next thing the victim remembers is waking up in the street covered in blood." He suffered a cut to the face, needing 10 stitches, which has left him with scarring. "He's now extremely self-conscious and feels vulnerable," said Miss Rose. She said the police went to the children's home in Wigston where Smith was living and recovered the two victims' mobile phones from a bag hanging outside his bedroom window. Smith pleaded guilty to both robberies. Dominic Thomas, mitigating, said: "He's never had a father and has lived much of his life in institutions. "He feels anger because he's been passed from pillar to post and never had any stability in his young life. "He's an intelligent lad and when he sorts himself out he'll have a lot to offer." Recorder Timothy Spencer QC said: "I've read about your upbringing and have sympathy with your position. "It's, perhaps, not surprising you found your way into the criminal courts. "You're still very young and there's hope for you. "These are very serious offences and just imagine how you'd feel if you were on the other end of those robberies and if it was you going to hospital to have stitches. "Your record, for someone of your age, is one of the worst I've seen." The Leicester Mercury successfully applied for a court order - preventing Smith being named because of his age – to be lifted in the public interest, on the principal of "open justice."

15-year-old with 51 offences on his record jailed for Eyres Monsell and Saffron Lane robberies

Speaking In Tongues at the cathedral

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A large oil painting depicting the feast of Pentecost has been unveiled at Leicester Cathedral.

The 8ft x 12ft work of art, titled Speaking In Tongues, was created by London artist Paul Benney and will be shown at a number of cathedrals across the UK this year.

David Monteith, the Dean of Leicester, is delighted that the artist chose Leicester to be the first city to see the picture.

He said: "Art galleries are full of historic paintings portraying the stories of the Bible.

"Paul's skill as a portrait painter who understands human narrative has revealed for our day the epic story of Pentecost, retold in the Acts of the Apostles. This monumental painting begs me to ponder whether God's fire might just be still at work in the world, enabling new languages and visions to emerge."

The cathedral is open to the public from 8.30am to 6pm.

It is free to enter and the painting will be on show until Sunday, June 8.

Speaking In Tongues at  the cathedral

Elephant Man: Memorial stone to Joseph Merrick's mother to be unveiled

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A memorial stone to the mother of one of Leicester's most famous residents will be unveiled tomorrow at the city's Welford Road Cemetery.

Mary Jane Merrick was the mother of Joseph Carey Merrick, otherwise known as the Elephant Man.

Mary's whereabouts were unknown until recent times when Mae Stroshane and Jeanette Sitton of the Friends of Joseph Carey Merrick group located her through extensive research.

The group is committed to educating people across the world about Merrick's life and legacy of courage, to increase tolerance of people with disabilities such as his.

Jeanette Sitton, the group's founder, said: "Mary Jane was interred in Welford Road cemetery in 1873, but it seems there wasn't the money to inscribe her name on the gravestone, and it's been absent ever since – until now.

"The Friends of Joseph Carey Merrick have worked with a Leicester stonemason, Glenn Andrews, to produce a memorial stone for her, with Joseph's name inscribed on it too, and those of his siblings.

"Glenn has donated his time and materials for free and the city council's bereavement services helped us to arrange the installation."

A number of the Friends of Joseph Merrick will be attending to lay flowers, including representatives from the USA and Italy. Members of the public are invited to the event, which starts at the cemetery at 1pm. Visitors can get directions to the grave from the cemetery's visitor centre.

Joseph Merrick was born in Leicester 150 years ago. His condition, which caused excessive bone growth, resulted in deformities and he died aged 27. He donated his body to scientific research yet despite this, little is known of his condition.

Researchers now believe he suffered from proteus syndrome, which causes overgrowth of the bones, skin and other tissues.

"Joseph Merrick doesn't have a grave – his remains are stored at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel. This gravestone will finally allow floral tributes to be laid in a cemetery, in his name, on his mother's grave," Jeanette said.

On Sunday, at 11am in the Guildhall, the Friends will gather to launch their book, Measured by the Soul: The Life of Joseph Carey Merrick.

From 2pm, a Blue Badge guide will lead a walk from the Guildhall through Leicester, exploring Merrick's associations with the city. To book, call 0116 299 4444 or visit:

www.goleicestershire.com

Elephant Man: Memorial stone to Joseph Merrick's mother to be unveiled

Third group of international nurses arrive at Leicester's hospitals

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A third group of international nurses has arrived at Leicester's hospitals.

The 44 nurses have come from Ireland, Portugal and Spain to help boost numbers at the city's three hospitals.

They were welcomed by head of nursing Maria McAuley on Thursday, and will spend the next few days being shown the city.

The nurses will then begin a comprehensive induction programme to help them understand what the NHS is and how it works, and adapt to cultural differences.

Ms McAuley said: "We include a guided tour of the city and some social events as the personal adaptation required cannot be underestimated.

"The nurses will then move on to the wards and will initially work with the full supervision of qualified nurses.

"Our new recruits will work in a range of services including women's service, cancer and haematology, renal and cardiac surgery, medicine and critical care."

The nurses are provided with hospital accommodation for two months and a food hamper with basic essentials, donated by Lidl.

Following their induction, the nurses will be based at Leicester Royal Infirmary, Glenfield and Leicester General hospitals.

A total of 102 nurses, also from Spain, Portugal and Ireland, have already joined Leicester's hospitals since the start of the year. About 18 more are expected next month and about a further 50 in September.

More nurses are also being recruited from the city's De Montfort University. It is hoped between 55 and 70 nurses will join Leicester's hospitals when they quality in September.

The overseas recruitment programme, which will see about 200 nurses joining from abroad, has been undertaken following a review of nursing numbers and the quality of care given to patients at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, which runs the three hospitals.

The trust wants to increase staff numbers to 5,000 permanent nurses and health care assistants, and are having to look overseas to fill vacancies due to a shortage of British nurses.

Ms McAuley said: "The nurses we welcomed earlier this year have settled in very well.

"The extra nurses means we will be filling our vacancies.

"Therefore, there will be less reliance on temporary agency staff and it will have an impact on the continuity of care for patients."

Health campaigner Zuffar Haq, a member of the Leicester Mercury Patients' Panel, said: "This recruitment is good news in that our hospitals are getting more nurses. I would like to see more trained in the UK so we have a sustainable future in nursing."

Third group of international nurses arrive at Leicester's hospitals


City shirts auction boosts Ellis campaign

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An auction of football shirts signed by Leicester City's championship-winning players has raised more than £8,000 towards a dad's charity campaign for his son.

The money from the auction, organised by Football League sponsors Sky Bet, will be added to the £104,306 already raised by Richard Page.

Richard, 28, of Barkby, cycled to all the club's away fixtures last season to raise money for research into MECP2 duplication syndrome.

The chromosomal abnormality, which causes epilepsy and restricts development, has left Richard's six-year-old son Ellis unable to walk or talk.

Foxes fans piled in to bid for the 14 match-worn shirts signed by the side.

The text "ellis" campaign has now raised £104,306, with £8,083 from the auction to be added to the total.

City chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and his son and vice-chairman Aiyawatt presented Richard with a cheque for £45,000, taking his total to £100,000.

Richard said: "It's been an incredible season."

City shirts auction boosts Ellis campaign

Leicestershire's richest Asians see wealth soar by £54m in past year

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Leicestershire's richest Asians have seen their wealth soar by £54 million over the past year, according to a new report.

Ten of the 50 names featured the 2014 Midlands Asian Rich List are from the county and worth a combined £606 million, up from £552 million in 2013.

Brothers Rashid and Aziz Tayub, who run food distribution and property company Crown Crest, of Kirby Muxloe, are Leicestershire's richest Asians with £275 million, and the fourth wealthiest in the Midlands.

The pair, whose empire includes the Poundstretcher discount chain, held on to fourth spot in the list, despite their wealth rising by £10 million in the past 12 months.

Shiraz and Amin Tejani are the county's second wealthiest with £150 million, the same valuation as 2013. The Tejanis, ranked fifth in the region, made their money after selling toilet paper maker LPC, of Hamilton, to Italian rival Sofidel in 2010. They now run an investment business in Market Harborough.

Hasmukh, Kamlesh and Sailesh Thakrar and family, who run petrol station business HKS Holdings, of Leicester, are 25th in the region with a wealth of £32 million, an increase of £1 million on last year. Shane Thakrar, HKS head of development and Sailesh's son, said: "We don't always shout about our wealth, but it's good Leicestershire has such a high number of names on this listing.

"Leicestershire is a great place to do business. It's central, there are a lot of skilled people and a lot of entrepreneurial people here."

Shahid Sheikh and family, owners of Clifton Packaging, in Meridian Business Park, Braunstone, are valued at £18 million, up £2 million on 2013, ranking them 38th in the listing.

Shahid, the firm's managing director, said many Asians were successful because they were less afraid of taking risks.

"Most of us started from zero and got our wealth from gut instinct," he said.

Other names in the listing are Priyesh and Minesh Patel, owners of Indian snack maker Cofresh, of Leicester, whose products are stocked in supermarkets across Britain. The pair are worth £40 million, up £5 million on 2013, putting them at 16th in the rankings.

Daud Ahmed, of Fashion Fabric Transprinters, in Humberstone Lane, Leicester, saw his wealth soar from £13.5 million to £25 million, taking him from 38th to 29th in the list.

New entry Baljinder Singh Sanghera and Gurbakhash Singh Sanghera, of precision parts supplier Kaby Engineers, of Highfields, Leicester, is valued at £22 million, putting them in 33rd place.

Jaspal Singh Minhas, president of Leicestershire Asian Business Association, said: "This is a testament to the role Asian entrepreneurs play in the economy, in the county and in the region. These people have worked very hard to see opportunities in the economy."

Leicestershire's richest Asians see wealth soar by £54m in past year

Sean St Ledger says Leicester City fans didn't see best of him

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Sean St Ledger said Leicester City fans never really saw the best of him during his time at the club.

The Republic of Ireland international has been included in the club's released list, along with fellow defenders Zak Whitbread and George Taft.

St Ledger made just 44 appearances in three years with City, due mainly to injuries.

He also nearly left to join Ipswich after the return of Nigel Pearson to the club, but fought his way back into the team only for injuries to again disrupt his progress.

"I'm going to miss being at such a fantastic club," said St Ledger on his Twitter account.

"Most of all I am going to miss all the lads, a really good bunch of people as well as talented footballers.

"Last but not least, a big thank you to the fans. You probably didn't see the best of me but I'm delighted you will be watching Premier League football next season."

Neil Danns is also on the release list but has already agreed a contract with Bolton.

City have confirmed they have offered new contracts to Kasper Schmeichel, David Nugent, Marcin Wasilewski, Lloyd Dyer and Tom Hopper.

Striker Gary Taylor-Fletcher has also signed a one-year contract extension to his current deal with the club.

In addition, the club has offered contracts to development squad players Kieran Kennedy, Ryan Watson, Adam Dawson, Jak McCourt, Marcel Barrington, Jacob Blyth, Michael Cain, Harry Panayiotou, James Pearson, Alie Sesay and Adam Smith.

Released from the development squad are Jamie Anton, Ben Frempah and Robert Paratore.

Sean St Ledger says Leicester City fans didn't see best of him

Fresh bid made to eradicate rats from Stocking Farm flats

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Council officials will make another attempt to tackle a rat infestation at a block of flats next week.

Vermin have overrun parts of the city-council owned complex in Marwood Road, Stocking Farm, causing misery for some residents.

The problem was reported to the council in October but attempts to solve it through work on the sewers below have failed.

Traps have been set by pest control officers but the rats have been breeding faster than they can be killed.

Tenant Mary Anne Gibbard, 24, said the rats had gnawed through the ceiling of her home, chewed through furniture and clothing and left the property covered in droppings.

She said she was unable to sleep because of rats scurrying behind her walls and under her floorboard.

Her neighbour Kerry Pick, 28, said she feared for the health of her 12-week-old baby and eight-year-old son.

The council said it intended to put cameras down the drains to try to find the source of the problem.

Assistant city mayor Andy Connelly, who is responsible for housing, said: "We apologise to the tenants affected by the rat infestation and in particularly to Ms Gibbard.

"Unfortunately, we have not been able to resolve this problem as quickly as we would have liked and we understand the frustrations.

"Our pest control team has been working closely with the occupants of a number of flats since this was reported in October. We've made a number of structural repairs, including to the sewer system beneath the block, and this seems to have solved the problem in some flats but not in others.

"We are going back next week to investigate the drains and soil pipes at all of the flats in the block and we're sealing the fascias of an adjoining building to eradicate the chances of rats entering here."

Coun Connelly said alternative accommodation had been offered to Ms Gibbard, which she had declined.

He said: "We will continue to look for suitable alternative accommodation for her until the problem is resolved."

Ms Gibbard said: "I'm totally fed up. All I want is for them to get the rats out of the building.

"It's stressful for us and it's unhealthy. They should have done something properly when we first reported it."

Ward councillor Vijay Riyait said: "There needs to be an investigation into how the rats got there.

"This is not the Middle Ages. People should not have to live like this.

"We need to consider if people need to be moved out of there while it gets sorted."

Fresh bid made to eradicate rats from Stocking Farm flats

Leicester Tigers v Saracens: Refs must not decide our fate – Richard Cockerill

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Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill has told his squad to make sure a referee's decision does not cost them the chance to retain their Aviva Premiership title later this month.

Officials have been centre-stage recently as controversy surrounding the perceived over-use of the TMO referral system has raised its head.

With more and more on the line as the domestic and European season enters the finals stages, any decision by an under-pressure referee could decide the destination of a trophy.

Cockerill said he has been "working a lot" with referees and their bosses in recent weeks, and that it is up to his team to make sure they are ahead in games so the odd decision cannot change the outcome.

The Leicester boss has not been shy of a run-in with referees in the past, and he admits their job is getting harder and harder.

"I was critical of our side after the defeat at Harlequins," he said. "I felt that we were waiting for the referee to make calls our way.

"Referees will make mistakes because it is a hard job to do and we cannot simply wait for them to give us a call when we think we are in the right.

"I have been working a lot with Brian Campsall (Elite Referee Development manager at the Rugby Football Union) and Tony Spreadbury (former international referee) during the past few weeks, and it is getting hard for referees.

"There is the TMO and replays and all sorts of regulations brought in at the last minute for them to deal with this season.

"If we can be as good as we possibly can be, the odd error or mistake that the referee could make might not be the deciding factor in any game we are playing in.

"That is what we have to concentrate on for the rest of the season.

"That is what, at last, I have decided to concentrate on too."

Leicester Tigers v Saracens: Refs must not decide our fate – Richard Cockerill

Leicester Tigers v Saracens: We need to build momentum - Owen Williams

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Welsh fly-half Owen Williams believes it is vital Leicester Tigers build momentum heading into the Aviva Premiership semi-finals, starting with victory against Saracens at Welford Road today.

Williams dismissed the cliché that form is irrelevant for knock-out games, and hopes Tigers will prepare for next weekend's play-offs with a win against the league leaders.

It is not all about building confidence though, as Tigers are still jostling for position inside the Premiership top four.

Triumph today and Tigers will ensure they face Northampton Saints in the semi-finals.

A bonus-point victory – and a point-less defeat for Saints against Wasps today at Franklin's Gardens – would see Tigers hosting their local rivals at Welford Road on Friday.

Depending on the result between Harlequins and Bath today, a defeat this weekend could see Tigers travel to Saracens' Allianz Park for the semi-finals a week today. They lost 49-10 on the artificial surface earlier in the season.

Williams stressed Tigers need to be full of confidence, no matter where they play their semi-final.

"We're playing to win this weekend, nothing else," said the 22-year-old.

"It's vital. The play-offs are one-off games, but you've got to be confident going into those one-off games.

"You can't be coming off bad defeats. It's all about confidence in the squad. They're one-off games but it's important we go into them with a win.

"The boys have got plenty of experience. We know Leicester are always expected to do well in the semis. I've been watching them for the past couple of years and they always seem to pull it out of the bag in the knock-out stages, so hopefully we can do the same this year.

"Being secure in the top four does take a bit of pressure off, but we're still fighting for that third spot. Not many teams would want to play Sarries away.

"We're fighting because we want to be in the semi-final against Saints. I thoroughly enjoyed the last game there. It would be a great game and great for the fans as well."

With a Heineken Cup final to come and their position at the summit of the Premiership confirmed, Saracens have rested players for today's clash.

But Williams said it will be a tough match.

He said: "They stick to their structure, they know what they like to do as a team.

"They do the simple things really well. They've got fantastic defence and they're going to be tough to break down.

"I don't think they'll change much tactically. But the boys who come in are going to try to take their opportunity. They're going to be champing at the bit and they're going to want to prove themselves."

Leicester Tigers v Saracens: We need to build momentum - Owen Williams

Ugly wins have been crucial to our season, says Leicester Tigers lock-forward Geoff Parling

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Leicester Tigers lock-forward Geoff Parling said the club's ugly wins during the Six Nations period could have defined their season.

The 30-year-old got through a full 80 minutes against Sale last Saturday for the first time since he injured his shoulder on England duty during the autumn internationals.

With the likes of Tom Croft and Steve Mafi also making a comeback in today's game against Saracens at Welford Road, Tigers could be heading into the Aviva Premiership play-offs almost fully loaded.

But it has certainly not always been like that this season.

Parling believes the wins the club picked up during the worst days of their injury problems were crucial to providing them with a chance to battle out a semi-final.

"This season has certainly been different with the injuries we have had, and those games during that Six Nations period were crucial," said Parling.

"We were not playing great rugby – in fact, we were playing pretty badly and not performing as we should have done – but we were winning.

"That was crucial. I would rather be doing that, than be playing great and losing.

"Those wins against the likes of Gloucester, Worcester and London Irish in that block of games, have all got us to the point where we can push on.

"We know what we need to do in a semi-final because we have been to so many.

"We have lots of players who have played in big-pressure games, and even those who are youngsters, like Owen Williams, have come in and done well too.

"But that doesn't mean that, because we have been here before, we will be relaxing and easing off."

Parling was out for six months with a shoulder problem that required surgery and saw him miss not only the majority of Leicester's domestic and European campaign, but also the Six Nations where he lost his England place to Northampton's Courtney Lawes and Wasps' Joe Launchbury.

With hopefully three more games to come this season for Leicester, Parling has a big carrot to aim for with England's tour of New Zealand to follow on at the end of the domestic campaign.

For once, he will be fresh and raring to go.

"I was tired after the Sale game because it was warm and I had not played 80 minutes for so long," he said.

"I am fresh at the end of the season but I would rather be tired having played lots of rugby.

"My shoulder is fine now and I am looking forward to the run-in.

"But I still don't deal with injuries very well. I get frustrated and angry sometimes."

Ugly wins have been  crucial  to our season, says Leicester Tigers lock-forward Geoff Parling


Tom Croft gets nod in much-changed Leicester Tigers squad for Saracens clash

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Leicester Tigers flanker Tom Croft will make his first appearance for the club in eight months against Saracens today.

The 28-year-old has been named among the replacements for this afternoon's clash at Welford Road (3.15) and director of rugby Richard Cockerill said Croft will play some part.

It will be the first time he has featured since he injured his anterior cruciate ligament in the latter stages of the opening game of the Premiership campaign at home to Worcester.

It has been a frustrating couple of seasons for Croft, who also spent a large part of the last campaign on the sidelines after a serious neck injury kept him out the game for nearly a year.

"Tom Croft has been training fully and having him back is good news," said Cockerill.

"He's come through all the challenges on his way back to fitness and it's good to see him ready to go again.

"Everyone has worked exceptionally hard to get this far but there is still work to do."

With both sides already secure of their place in the play-offs, both teams have rotated their squads with one eye on the semi-finals.

There is no place in Tigers' squad for Ed Slater, Ben or Tom Youngs, Jordan Crane, Julian Salvi or leading try scorer Niki Goneva.

In Slater's absence, Louis Deacon will lead the side out this afternoon. He starts in the second-row alongside Geoff Parling.

Steve Mafi joins fellow internationals Pablo Matera and Thomas Waldrom in the back-row.

David Mele and Blaine Scully are added to the back-line following last week's bonus-point win over Sale Sharks.

It is set to be an emotional occasion for Toby Flood, who starts at inside-centre in place of the injured Anthony Allen.

The game is likely to be the 28-year-old's last appearance at Welford Road before he moves to Toulouse at the end of the season.

Unless Tigers pick up a bonus-point victory today, and Northampton Saints fail to gain a point against Wasps, the defending champions will be away from home in the semi-finals.

Victory for Tigers will ensure they face bitter rivals Saints in the last four.

Saracens, who have already secured a home semi-final, also have the small matter of the Heineken Cup final in two weeks time and have rested all of their England contingent for today's clash.

Tom Croft gets nod in much-changed Leicester Tigers squad for Saracens clash

It will be a bumpy ride, but I just cannot wait, says Leicester City midfielder Matty James

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Leicester City midfielder Matty James said he cannot wait for the new season to come around.

James and the entire City squad have been flown to Thailand by the club's owners for a week of relaxation and celebration after their title success.

But James said his thoughts had already turned to next season and his first taste of Premier League football.

The 22-year-old, who was named the club's young player of the year, rejected a contract offer from Manchester United and dropped down into the Championship with City.

He felt it was the best route back to the top flight and his decision has been justified.

Now, he is determined to show what he can do on the biggest stage in English football and hopes he will be given the chance by boss Nigel Pearson.

"Now the season is finished, all I can think about is next season and turning up at the Emirates and Old Trafford, and playing against the best players in the country," said James.

"As soon as we get back into pre-season, we will be champing at the bit. We just can't wait now.

"There aren't many players in this squad who have played in the Premier League.

"We know there will be additions in the summer but we all hope the players who have done well this season are given a chance.

"The gaffer has spoken about that. It is going to be a bumpy ride in the Premier League but it will be fantastic and I can't wait."

City are expected to bolster the squad for the new campaign but James welcomes the competition for places.

The midfielder also hopes the club can quickly resolve the contract situation and retain the players coming to the end of their deals.

"If we do bring in new players then competition for places is always healthy and it makes you play better anyway," he said. "The manager has mentioned the contract situation and everyone wants it sorted, but it has nothing to do with the players or the staff.

"There are certain people at the club whose job it is to sort that out with the players' representatives. Hopefully it can be sorted. We have such a good bunch of lads and there is never any arguing. Everyone gets on and we do quite a lot together as a team and build that bond.

"We can hopefully take that into the new season.

"I believe we can definitely compete. If we can get a few bonus points off the big teams that will be great, but we have to beat the teams around us.

"You do look at it now and think we could survive, but it is easier said than done.

"We have beaten Fulham in the League Cup and it would be fantastic to beat the bigger teams, but just as long as we pick up points."

It will be a bumpy ride, but I just cannot wait, says Leicester City midfielder Matty James

Police step up patrols after boys lured into car by pervert

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Police have stepped up patrols in the Spinney Hills area of Leicester after a man enticed two young boys into his car and sexually abused them.

The boys, aged eight and 12, were both assaulted in the in the past five weeks.

In both cases, the abuser asked his victim to get into his car to help him find the keys.

The first attack happened at 1.30pm on Sunday, March 30

A man approached a 12-year-old boy in Constance Road, off St Saviour's Road, and asked him to help him search for his keys, which he said were inside his car.

Once the boy was in the car, he was assaulted.

The man is Asian, in his 30s or 40s, is short and fat and had reddish hair, which may have been dyed. He has prominent teeth and was wearing a brown or grey jacket with dark jeans.

Police believe the car was a black Vauxhall Astra hatchback.

The second incident happened between 1.15pm and 1.45pm last Saturday.

On that occasion, an eight-year-old boy was enticed into a car with a similar story in Mere Road.

The man drove a short distance to Spinney Hill Road and then Hartington Road, where the man sexually assaulted him.

The victim has told the police his attacker was Asian and the car was again black.

Police officers have visited schools in the area to speak to children and teachers and to reinforce the need for "stranger danger" vigilance. They are also staging extra patrols in the area.

Nigel Bruen, headteacher at Coleman Primary School, in Gwendolen Road – which the two boys do not attend – said: "I have been teaching for 29 years, 11 as a headteacher, and I have never actually encountered an incident such as this.

"There have been reports of suspicious incidents involving men approaching children, but I have never seen a case where it has actually happened and a child has been sexually assaulted in this way.

"We tend to talk to children about 'stranger danger' regularly, telling them not to accept gifts from strangers or to get in a car with someone they don't know.

"We reiterated the message to our children and included some information in a newsletter to remind parents to tell their children to be careful."

Detective Constable Rebekah Cortez said: "The two boys were shaken and upset by their experiences.

"We are keeping an open mind about whether the same suspect was involved in both incidents, but there are some similarities in the descriptions and the method used.

"We would like the public's help with any information which could help our investigation. In the meantime, we have increased patrols in the area and made all our officers aware of these incidents and the descriptions.

Zuffar Haq, of Crimestoppers in Leicestershire, said: "I would encourage people to think about the two victims and their families.

"Someone must know something about this man and, perhaps, the car. If they have any information about these awful crimes, I would ask them to contact the police or Crimestoppers immediately."

Contact Det Con Cortez on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Police step up patrols after boys lured into car by pervert

'Furry jellyfish' in carton of Ribena made Leicester hairdresser feel sick

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Barber David Elcock had a close shave when he found a large "furry jellyfish" in a carton of Ribena.

The 37-year-old bought the drink from a city centre shop on Wednesday.

David, who runs Yahweh Hair Salon, in Granby Street, took a gulp from the one-litre juice box and felt something "about the size of a grape" slide down his throat – but it was too late to cough it up.

He poured out a small portion of the contents and out came a blob about the size of a 50p.

When David, from Thurnby Lodge, cut open the carton he found a much larger lump of the mystery substance floating inside.

"I felt sick," he said. "I have no idea what it is, I couldn't even describe it – when a little bit of it came out of the carton it looked like a small furry jellyfish.

"But I couldn't tell you what the big part looks like.

"It's disgusting, it makes me feel ill to think I swallowed part of whatever that is. I felt it slide down my throat and had to swallow hard and immediately knew it wasn't right."

David contacted Ribena, who asked him to send the entire contents of the carton to them.

He also spoke to the owner of the shop where he had bought the drink, who immediately took the product off the shelves.

The shop owner said he had removed any cartons with the same batch number and was sending them back to the supplier.

Images of the mystery ingredient were also sent to Leicester City Council's food safety team.

Team manager David Barclay Rhodes said: "We have had no other reports about this product and this is likely to be an isolated case.

"It is probably due to damage to packaging. This will have allowed mould to form in the drink."

He said that although mouldy food is unpleasant, it is unlikely to be harmful.

A spokesperson for Lucozade Ribena Suntory said: "We produce our products to the highest standards and we take the health and safety of our consumers very seriously.

"We can confirm that the consumer in question has already been in contact with our consumer care team and we are dealing with the enquiry.

"We make it very easy for consumers to get in touch and print our free phone number and address on all our packaging."

'Furry jellyfish' in carton of Ribena made Leicester hairdresser feel sick

Leicester City soak it up on Thailand trip

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Leicester City have been soaking up the sun and the adulation of the Thai public during their week of celebrations in Thailand.

City's Thai owners have flown the entire Championship title-clinching squad and backroom team to Thailand for relaxation and civic receptions to mark their promotion to the Premier League.

They were greeted by hundreds of fans at Suvarnabhumi airport on Thursday morning, and City boss Nigel Pearson told the Bangkok Post they were delighted to be there.

"I would like to thank Thai fans for their warm welcome," said Pearson. "We are here for vacation after a long season."

City chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha said they wanted to celebrate the team's success with his people.

"We come here to thank Thai fans for their support," he told the Bangkok Post.

The players signed autographs for well-wishers at the airport before checking in at the Pullman Hotel.

City have been paying their respects at the Phra Maha Mondop Buddhist temple in Bangkok and were checking out the sights from atop the Lebua State Tower, the largest building in south east Asia.

Leicester City soak it up on Thailand trip

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