Nigel Pearson has total belief his Leicester City players will be good enough to compete in the Premier League.

The City boss has kept faith with the squad which won the Championship title last season.

He has recruited only three new players to bolster his ranks because he believes the side he has constructed is already strong enough to make the step up in standard.

City may be among the group of clubs tipped to struggle this season, but Pearson believes his side could surprise a few people, although it would be no shock to him to see them hold their own among English football's elite.

"I believe we have a squad which is capable of making the transition," he said.

"We are not going to dominate like we did last season, that goes without saying, but there is an air of confidence among the players that they believe they have the ability to perform. I fully agree.

"I think we have a number of players who will do very well for us in the Premier League.

"We have been careful how we build the squad because the intention was always, if and when we got promotion, that we could then develop the squad at a similar pace.

"Sometimes you have to have another look at that because, occasionally, players will leave who you don't want to leave.

"But we have been able to hang on to key players and then we will look to add if and when we can."

City have a tough opening to their campaign with four of last season's top seven clubs – Everton, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United – to face in their opening five games.

Pearson admits survival is the key in their first season back in the Premier League for a decade.

"I have been asked if staying up is just enough and that has to be the bottom line," he said.

"I think, more importantly, the players have a belief and the staff have a belief in the players that they are capable.

"A top-10 finish would be huge but we have to make sure our first goal is to establish ourselves in the Premier League."

Health and safety experts, look away now. This is Belgrave Roundabout Baths* on a scorching summer's day in the mid-1970s. Choppers and racers discarded, a gaggle of Leicester lads and lasses have seized the chance to take a cooling dip. In the inner tubes of tyres, by the look of it.

*Unofficial.

A driver escaped with minor injuries when his container lorry overturned and crashed into the central reservation on the A42 near Ashby this morning.

The emergency services, including the air ambulance, were called shortly after 8.10am.

The fire service helped the driver climb out of his cab using a ladder and he was tended at the scene.

Police closed the southbound carriageway for several hours and the air ambulance was called, but was not needed.

A police spokeswoman said: "The collision occurred at 8.10am on the southbound carriageway between junctions 12 and 13.

"This incident involved a single vehicle."

She said the air ambulance was called as a precaution but the driver only suffered minor injuries.

The road was closed to enable the vehicle to be recovered by two cranes. The road was fully open by 1.30pm.

A fire service spokeswoman said they were called at 8.24am and found the lorry had overturned straddling the central reservation.

She said the lorry driver was helped from his cab by the fire service.

She added: "We then made the vehicle safe."

A ground breaking ceremony has taken place at De Montfort University to mark the start of multi-million pound building work to the campus.

The low rise Fletcher block and the university's former Students' Union building has been knocked down to make way for striking new buildings to house architecture, design, fashion and textiles, and art courses.

A new addition to the university's plans will be a Chinese creative and cultural centre - the vast majority of which will be paid for by the Sun Wah Group - a Chinese business conglomerate which already has strong connections to DMU through its business school at Lioning University in China.

Professor Dominic Shellard, vice chancellor of DMU, and Dr Jonathan Choi, chairman of the Sun Wah Group, placed the first spades into the soil this afternoon to mark work getting underway.

Professor Shellard said: "This is an historical day for De Montfort University. When I became vice chancellor four years ago, it was clear we had to do something dramatic and offer students cutting edge facilities.

"These buildings will replicate the experience of being in Gucci workshops or Prada's workshops and help students move into the world of work fully prepared for high end equipment because that's what they're used to.

"I'm grateful for the support of Dr Choi and the Sun Wah Group. We're moving into a new phase of partnership, starting with this centre. The British and Chinese governments recognise the importance of the creative industries and I'm sure we'll all be learning Madarin within five to 10 years."

Professor Shellard added that a "wonderful green space" was also being created as part of the university's campus plans, which would lead down to the River Soar. He compared it to the likes of Kings College, in Cambridge.

The new creative and cultural centre will provide space for staff and students to study and research. It will house exhibitions on Chinese and British creativity, focusing on fashion, dance, drama, art, graphic design, gaming, and product design among others. Traditional Chinese skills such as Tai-Chi and calligraphy will also be taught.

De Choi said: "The centre is a noteworthy advance in the relationship between China and the United Kingdom.

"It will provide the perfect platform for students at De Montfort University and the citizens of Leicester."

The designs include atrium spaces with open galleries to maximise views between floors and between departmental areas, display areas to show off students' three-dimensional work and digital internal and external displays to provide a platform for their work.

Landscaping around the site will create parkland with lawns, formal courtyards and a riverside walk.

The area is being dubbed the "green lung" and will run through the heart of the university's campus.

Costs of the redevelopment will run to around £136 million, part of which is being paid for using a £90 million public bond financed by four major lenders – M&G Investments, Legal and General, Scottish Widows and Kames Capital.

Other works will take place in due course, including the expansion of the current Students' Union.

The main part of the project is expected to be completed by 2016.

Forest Hill head greenkeeper Sam Voss has applied for the past five years to play a key role in an Open Championship.

He will finally be doing so today when this year's Open gets under way at Royal Liverpool.

He said: "I have always wanted to be involved in an Open, but until this year my applications have been unsuccessful, so I was delighted when I was named this time.

"I have been told I will be needed all four days, which is great, as some get to stay for just the first two days.

"I will help out, if needed, with any greenkeeping, but my main remit is to go around each day with one of the groups of players and to rake bunkers and so on. It will be fantastic if I get allocated with some of the top stars."

Two more top-division County Scratch League Championship inter-club matches have been completed.

Cosby beat Whetstone 6-2, while The Leicestershire were 5-3 winners against Longcliffe.

Other results – Div 2: Kibworth 8 Rothley Park 0, Glen Gorse 5 Park Hill 3. Div 3: Scraptoft 6 Lingdale 2, Willesley Park 5½ Ullesthorpe Court 2½. Div 4: Rutland County 4½ Rutland Water 3½, Market Harborough 4 Kilworth Springs 4, Charnwood Forest 6½ Lutterworth 1½. Div 5: Forest Hill 5½ Western Park 2½, Stapleford Park 6½ Melton Mowbray 1½, Beedles Lake 6 Humberstone Heights 2.

Coby Cartwright is set to represent England Schools in their annual match against Scotland this summer.

The Cosby teenager has completed his East Midlands under-16s matches against the East of England this season.

The 15-year-old, who plays for Leicestershire men as well as the boys' team, had a highly successful campaign in the inter-regional clashes, and has been unbeaten for two years at under-16 level.

In his final two games, Cartwright won an 18-hole Stableford format when he fired five birdies and dropped only one shot for his four-under-par 68 gross.

This gave him 40 points and a 10-point win, and the best tally by five on the day. He birdied three of his last four holes.

He won his final game at The Warren by 2&1 and, soon afterwards, played at Enfield in the National Schools Championship. He finished 12th after his 145 aggregate and now plays against Scotland at Southport & Ainsdale in September.

In the Midland Boys Championship at Great Barr, up against leading young golfers from across the region, Cartwright was runner-up in the under-16s section with his 75-73-148 return, and joint-fourth overall.

Hinckley Ladies retained the Rose Bowl trophy during Tripartite Week.

They played various matches against Atherstone and Nuneaton during the week, before coming out on top.

Hinckley also won at Birstall in the women's County Foursomes.

Annette Cattermole, Amy Taylor, Andrena Porter and Trudie Allen now go through to play at Willesley on July 21.

Trudie Allen and Sandra Bloor won Hinckley's Diamond Jubilee Qualifier, Dawn Glenville and Jenny Pittock second and Elaine Edwards and Mavis Powell third.

The Mr Captain's Betterball saw a win for Annette Cattermole and Jayne Eadon on 68 points, ahead of Andrena Porter and Sue Smith, 70, and Anne Knight and Maureen Foote, 71.

Laraine Cook won the Lady Captain's Day Centenary Cup with 42 points.

Division One was topped by Dawn Glenville on 37 points, while Cook took Division Two on 42 and Kathy Webb won Division Three on 34.

Mark Walker and Steve Lewis won Kibworth's Victory Foursomes on 65.5 net.

Jason Lynch and Olly Lewis were runners-up on 66 net, with Sam Moxon and Liam Dunkley third on 69.

Tony O'Neil's Vice-Captain's Day went ahead at the second attempt and Callum Elliott won on 67 net, with county first-teamer Martin Anderson around in three-under-par 68 to take the scratch award.

Simon Ashton (8) topped Division One on 68 net, while Phillip Smith led Division Two on 69 net. Division Three was won by Steven Bizley on 74 net. Adam Collins was the best junior, also on 74.

Twins Sam and Matti Ward tied on 73 net in a junior medal at Market Harborough.

Sam took the honours after finishing first on local rule. They are both 15 years old.

County Open champion Chris Abbott won the Scratch Cup at Lutterworth with his 71-75-146 return. He was two clear of runner-up Mark Jackson, 76-72-148, with Matthew Horton third, 75-77-152.

James Green won Rothley Park's Championship after two rounds of 72. Alex Frith was runner-up on 78-71-149, while Ian Longden was the net winner on 72-69-141. Florence King is the women's club champion after firing 77-73-150.

Tom Friel amassed 41 points to win Simon Wood's Professional's Day contest at Scraptoft.

Arshad Tarmahomed was runner-up after tying on 40 points with Dave McKenlay.

David Gibson stretched his record number of victories in the County Amateur Championship to 11 when he won for the fourth year in a row at Lingdale.

The Cosby star, who first won this title in 1990, carded 72-69 for his one-under-par 141 total to finish a stroke clear of his closest challenger Steve Sansome (Birstall), who shot 72-70-142.

At the halfway stage at Lingdale, which was hosting this county major for the first time, Gibson and Sansome shared fifth with two more golfers.

But their determination proved strong as they pushed through the field, with Gibson going just one stroke lower to claim this coveted title again.

Chris Webb (Birstall), who had led the opening session with three-under-par-68 – the lowest round of the tournament – fell away in the afternoon of a breezy day, but teenager Brandon Armitage (Market Harborough) stayed in the frame after his 70-75-145.

He ended fifth, headed by two tied on 143 tallies – county golfers – Martin Anderson (Kibworth) 73-70 and Richard Wale (The Leicestershire) 71-72.

Wale was aiming to go one better in the Amateur Championship this weekend. He had lost to Gibson in a play-off at Glen Gorse a year ago.

Gibson went out in two-over 38 in round one, but came back in one-under 34 to make a solid start.

Birdies at the second and fourth saw him turn in two-under 34 in his second round, but he saw a shot slip away at 13, before a birdie at the 197-yard par-three 16th restored him to two-under.

When he signed for 69, he was back in the winner's circle for this championship again.

"I am absolutely delighted to be champion again," said Gibson. "It means a great deal to me, so it is exciting.

"The key moment for me really was at the par-four second in the afternoon.

"There is a two-tier green and I was in totally the wrong spot – on the top tier – with a 30-footer.

"I putted to six feet, the ball kept rolling, hit the hole and dropped for the three. It could just as easily been a bogey.

"Chris Jones, from Cosby, has caddied for me four times now when I have won the title, so he was thrilled, too.

"It was a bonus for Cosby to win the Corah Shield team award, through myself, Liam Plant and Coby Cartwright, and have the English Champion Club to look forward to later in the season."

Leading final scorers: 141 D Gibson (Cosby) 72-69; 142 S Sansome (Birstall) 72-70; 143 M Anderson (Kibworth) 73-70, R Wale (The Leicestershire) 71-72; 145 B Armitage (Market Harborough) 70-75; 146 L Plant (Cosby) 73-73, P Dixon (Willesley Park) 71-75; 147 C Abbott (Lutterworth) 75-72, J Mayfield (Glen Gorse) 72-75; 148 C Cartwright (Cosby) 75-73, A Bradshaw (Lingdale) 75-73, H Duval (Kibworth) 74-74, J Parmar (The Leicestershire) 73-75; 149 S Corby (Whetstone) 75-74, L Woodcock (The Leicestershire) 74-75, J Billingham (Cosby) 74-75, C Webb (Birstall) 68-81; 150 S Wormleighton (Birstall) 73-77; 151 J Stancer (Cosby) 77-74; 152 D Cooper (Glen Gorse) 79-73, J Dandy (Longcliffe) 76-76, A Mee (Lingdale) 76-76; 153 J Fairbrother (Cosby) 79-74, O Booth (Scraptoft) 76-77; 154 T Jackson (Lingdale) 77-77, T Fairlie (Lingdale) 76-78, F MacArthur (Ullesthorpe Court) 72-82.

Neil Chaudhuri achieved his first EuroPro Tour victory in stunning style when he won the Motocaddy Masters Championship at The Carrick.

On the banks of Loch Lomond, in Scotland, the Leicestershire playing professional led from start to finish as he stormed into the winner's circle with his eight-under-par 205 aggregate with his 68-68-69 rounds.

Chaudhuri (www.specialisteyes.co.uk) was four clear of the almost 160-strong field, including many highly experienced professionals.

It was his first win as a pro and, by his own admission, was a "tremendous thrill".

He said: "It has been a tough time for me, but I have worked as hard as I possibly can and this win means so much to me now it has come.

"I got my EuroPro Tour card this spring, so was pleased to have the chances it presented.

"But it is only in the last few weeks my game has started to be where I wanted it to be.

"In the two tournaments prior to this, I was eight-under at Cumberwell Park, then five-under at Frilford Heath.

"I was extremely disappointed not to go through to the Open Championship after just missing out at Sunningdale New in a final qualifier.

"But, in a way, it was a great help. I gave it a lot of thought afterwards and knew where I had made some poor decisions, and I was inspired when I got to Scotland.

"It was a tricky course in an absolutely superb setting.

"Accuracy was the vital key, as anything off line, or in one of the fairway bunkers, was always going to be costly.

"I was leading going into the last round, but there were some strong pros just behind, including Bradley Dredge, a former winner on the full Tour.

"But I managed to stay calm and focused, I bogeyed 12, but made a crucial par at 13 where I missed the green, but chipped up dead, then birdied the next two holes.

"At 14, my playing partner holed a 20-foot birdie putt, but I rolled in mine from 15 feet to match his and, at 15, hit my best approach of the week – a rescue club from 255 yards to 15 feet from the pin and made birdie there, too.

"So I knew I was in a good position and had three pars to sign for my 69 and my celebrations could begin.

"Now I am into the top six of the order of merit, so aim to continue strongly in a bid to get an automatic European Challenge Tour card for next year."

Chaudhuri competes in Scotland again this week on the EuroPro Tour.

Before turning pro, he was an England international and is a past County amateur champion.

Leicester Riders have strengthened their line-up for next season with the capture of American Neil Watson.

The 23-year-old point-guard, from Kansas, will fill Riders' third work-permit slot and joins the club straight from university, having played last season for Southern Mississippi in the tough USA Conference.

Watson's college team had a win-loss record of 81-26 during his three years, and they qualified for post-season tournaments in each of the three seasons.

That included a university-record 29 wins in his final season.

In 2011-12, he was named newcomer of the year in the Conference, and in 2013-14 was selected to the first-team All Conference.

Watson is just 5ft 10in and weighs 170 pounds, but averaged 11 points, with four assists and 2.5 rebounds a game, while shooting 38 per cent from the three-point line.

He also had an exceptional 92 per cent from the free-throw line in his senior year at university, and was ranked fourth in the US in Division One colleges, including 51 straight, a facet of the game that has been an Achilles heel for Riders in recent seasons.

Watson's career free-throw shooting was 85 per cent, the best in his college's history, and he also made 164 threes in three seasons and was second in assist-to-turnover ratio and seventh in steals in the Conference.

Riders head coach Rob Paternostro said: "Neil had a tremendous college career and he put up some great numbers in a very successful team.

"He is a quick guard who can do many things. His ball pressure, shooting and play-making abilities were major factors in Southern Miss making three straight post-season tournaments.

"I really like the way he distributes the ball, he has great vision and really looks to get his team-mates involved.

"He also has the ability to make the big shot. We are all looking forward to him joining our club."

Watson is excited about teaming up with Riders.

"I'm looking forward to joining," he said. "I want to help add to the championship resume, by bringing my intense defence and up-tempo style of play.

"I am also looking forward to playing for a good coaching staff."

Another new Riders recruit, American guard Derrick Roland, is also happy to be on board.

The 6ft 4in Texan was confirmed last week as joining the club from Chilean National League side BC Santiago.

The 26-year-old, who averaged more than 21 points and 4.4 rebounds a game last season, while shooting 54 per cent from the floor and just over 30 per cent from beyond the arc, said: "I'm excited to be a Rider.

"When my agent mentioned to me the possibility of returning to Europe, and competing in the BBL for a top club, I was intrigued immediately.

"Coach Paternostro and I have the same vision of winning championships. I look forward to it, and will embrace any challenge the coach throws at me.

"Leicester has a winning tradition and I'm honoured to be a part of it. I will look to help continue the winning ways and be a positive ambassador for Leicester."