The Advertiser caught up with the Leicester Mercury's football correspondent Rob Tanner ahead of Saturday, who says the Foxes have to come away with three points…

How big is this game on Saturday? Is it more important for the Foxes?

It is absolutely crucial that City win this game, and they know it. Last week's trip to Old Trafford was the start of a sequence of fixtures which sees them travel to Arsenal, Everton and Manchester City following Saturday's game. City also know if results go their way a win could see them climb out of the bottom, three for the first time since November, which is a huge incentive.

Andrej Kramaric has arrived with a reputation for goals. What are the early signs?

Difficult to say as he only had a brief substitute's appearance at Spurs and then he was given his first start at United and City simply didn't have enough of the ball to get him into the game. But he is going to have to learn fast because City need him to hit the ground running. It is widely reported he is the club's record signing, which he is not. Leonardo Ulloa remains City's record signing, but Kramaric still comes with a big price tag and that carries the weight of expectation.

Are the fans still behind Nigel Pearson and is he the right man to keep?

Yes, the vast majority are very much behind Pearson and sing his name every game. There are the usual vocal minority on social media who are questioning him, but by and large he has been given great support from the fans, and rightly so. He has built this young team over the past three seasons, culminating in that great season as they romped to the Championship title. The key to maintaining success is stability and even if City lose their fight against relegation they should stick with Pearson and his squad and come back stronger.

Which Palace players have you been impressed with?

When we went to Selhurst Park the two wide men were particularly difficult to handle, Yannick Bolasie and Jason Puncheon. But the overall impression was that Palace were just too powerful for City and that has been a reoccurring theme this season. Mile Jedinak typifies what Palace were about on that day in September, and he might be back this weekend involved after his Asia Cup triumph.

And finally, a score prediction?

City need to win this desperately so they will be very much up for this. I'll go for 1-0.

Police are appealing for more information regarding a stabbing in New Addington on Tuesday (February 3).

Officers were called to reports of a fight in Castle Hill Avenue at the junction with Walton Green at 12.50pm.

A 24-year-old man was taken to hospital was taken to a south London hospital with several stab wounds to his leg.

The injuries were not life threatening, and he has since been discharged.

A 17-year-old boy was arrested and charged with robbery in connection with the incident, and is on bail until late March.

However, police are keen to find out more.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Nina Fletcher, from Croydon CID said: "This happened in daylight in an area that is overlooked by a large number of flats and properties.

"There is a very good chance that somebody has seen what has happened and we're keen to hear from them.

Anyone with information should call Croydon CID on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

PURLEY'S fire station is to be demolished next week to make way for a modernised facility. 

On Wednesday, (February 11) firefighters from the Brighton Road station, built in the 1920s, will move to Mitcham for a year while the new development goes up.

But station manager Sally Harper said south residents don't need to worry as they will be well looked after by neighbouring stations in Croydon, Addington and Wallington.

"We still expect to meet our attendance times, which will be monitored," said Ms Harper. "It will be exactly the same as if Purley were training for the day."

Crews from Wallington are expected to cover incidents in Purley, while Addington will cover Sanderstead and Kenley and Croydon fire station will cover the Purley Way area.

"All the community work Purley does and the ties with the community, like fire safety visits to schools, will be maintained," Ms Harper added.

Mitcham fire station has space for two fire engines. Purley will move in temporarily with both crews operating independently but out of the same station.

Crew manager Jake Alexander, 40, has been a firefighter for 15 years and moved to Purley station four months ago. He said the team are sad to leave Purley and look are looking forward to returning.

"There's something about old fire stations," said Mr Alexander. "We're here 24 hours a day and we work with so many characters you grow quite fond of places. We come back after incidents and chat, there's a lot of comradery.

"The building has the feel of all those stories. When you go in a new building it doesn't feel the same as walking into an old fire station. It will take a little while for that to creep into the new building."

Ms Harper said work at Purley station, originally a combined fire and ambulance station, is necessary because the current building cannot keep up with the modern fire service.

The new station will have a larger fire engine bay, a four-storey training tower, a drill yard and a road traffic accident training area.

Ms Harper said: "It's exciting to have a new fire station within the Croydon area, but I think it will be quite sad because the history of the building will go.

"Our fire engines are much bigger now and we have a lot more equipment, like the heavy cutting gear. We have a gym here, too – I doubt they had a running machine in the 1920s."

There will also be a new office, lecture and study rooms as well as places for firefighters to rest, change and cook.

The new building will be more open to the public and Ms Harper hopes to be able to provide rooms for support groups to meet.

It will be paid for with a share of £51.5 million awarded to London Fire Brigade by the Department of Communities and Local Government to improve nine fire stations in the capital including Purley.

A PLAN to provide 50 years' worth of burial sites for Croydon by extending a cemetery over the border in Surrey has been rejected.

Croydon Council hoped to use Greenlawn Memorial Park – land it owns despite being situated outside the borough in Warlingham – to provide an extra 3,200 individual plots, together with 216 plots for Muslim burials.

But Tandridge Council refused permission for expansion of the 22-acre site and, now, an appeal against this decision has been rejected.

Arguments at the appeal centred on an extended use of green-belt land.

In his letter, independent inspector David Smith said the provision of extra plots would, "at a stroke", deal with the assessed need for burial space and supply places for the next 50 years.

He admitted that argument carries significant weight but ruled that requirements for new space "do not clearly outweigh the harm to the green belt and to the character of the area that would occur."

Mr Smith suggested the council should look again at the possible expansion of two other sites, rejected by Croydon in the past, at Mitcham Road cemetery, in Croydon, and Bandon Hill cemetery, in Wallington.

He adds that another look could also be taken at land in Fox Lane, Coulsdon.

Despite the setback, Councillor Timothy Godfrey, Croydon's cabinet member with responsibility for cemeteries, said the decision would not result in an immediate burial crisis in Croydon.

Cllr Godfrey said in the light of the decision he would be meeting with council officers to examine the possible use of the other three sites.

He said: "I think the inspector has given us a tick-list of what we should do but I don't think he has completely ruled out an extension of Greenlawn in the future.

"There is also an opportunity to look again at other land in Croydon but no sites spring to mind.

"The problem is everybody wants to be buried or looked after somewhere but nobody wants a cemetery near them."

Despite Mr Smith's stance, Cllr Godfrey added: "In the long term the impact on the green belt of the expansion would be zero, although there would be some disturbance in the short term."

AMBITIOUS plans to ensure jobs created by the regeneration of the town go to Croydon residents are being backed by the council.

Councillor Toni Letts, the cabinet member for economic development, said the initiative will revolve around a partnership between the council, Jobcentre Plus, Croydon College and training providers to ensure that people applying for work are fully prepared.

She said: "By the time we have growth in business we want to be able to provide employers with three job-ready applicants for every vacancy.

"Many businesses tell me that people applying to them who have been unemployed for a long time, or who have not worked before, have no basic skills."

She said in addition to some lacking basic reading and writing skills, barriers to impressing employers included poor CVs, lack of interview and people skills, and down to simply turning up badly dressed.

Offering opportunities through training courses to address those problems will form part of the scheme.

Cllr Letts said: "We also have to do more preparation for young people in schools getting them ready for work and thinking about how they present themselves to employers."

The council says there are three major job generation on the horizon; the Westfield/Hammerson redevelopment of the Whitgift Centre, the hoped-for expansion of Gatwick Airport and opportunities for work in construction, retail and information technology as the regeneration of the town unfolds.

It was important, Cllr Letts said, that the job brokerage service worked with employers to come up with a clear pipeline of job opportunities which needed to be filled and ensure applicants from Croydon had the ability to fill them.

In addition to supporting the long-term unemployed, Cllr Letts said the service also needed to support the growing number of middle-aged and middle-management people out of work.

She said she was looking at the idea of setting up an executive job club for these professionals, who would often have been working in the same job for a long time.

This would give them access to different jobs but also offer refresher courses in job applications skills which they may have lost over the years.

The council is already working to ensure the Westfield/Hammerson partnership creates local job opportunities.

As part of the Section 106 planning agreement with the partnership, it is legally obliged to provide skills, training and employment benefits for Croydon residents.

A partnership steering group is being set up to ensure the requirements are implemented.

JOE Ledley popped up with the vital winner for Crystal Palace this afternoon as the Eagles came away with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Leicester City.

His header ten minutes into the second half lifts Alan Pardew's men on to 26 points and six clear of the relegation zone.

The game had its moments, with both sides having decent chances but thankfully for the south Londoners, they managed to edge it thanks to Ledley.

The Eagles won a corner after just 60 seconds through Wilfried Zaha, and they had the first chance from it as Jason Puncheon picked out Jordon Mutch completely unmarked, but his first time effort went way wide of the target.

Wilfried Zaha had a goal-bound shot well blocked by Wes Morgan soon after following some good hold-up play from Dwight Gayle, before a decent cross from Puncheon found Mutch but his header was cleared.

The Eagles enjoyed most of the possession before the midway point of the first period, before the hosts finally started to get a grip on proceedings.

Riyad Mahrez forced Julian Speroni into a super save as the ball was fired in from the right side of the box, and from the follow-up Nugent's effort was well blocked.

Leicester cranked up the pressure with Esteban Cambiasso's long range effort snuffed out by James McArthur, and following a corner from Mahrez, Nugent got in front of his market to head against the woodwork.

Palace just needed to calm things down but Leicester weren't going to give up their onslaught that easily, and on 35 minutes Speroni came to the rescues again when he pulled off a brilliant point-blank save to deny Schlupp's piledriver before Mahrez scuffed the rebound over.

Scott Dann went very close with a header from a Gayle corner, and despite taking a slight deflection on to the side-netting, a goal kick was given instead.

Following a clash of heads between Dann and Wes Morgan, the Palace defender was replaced at the break by Brede Hangeland, while the ineffective Mutch was taken off for Yaya Sanogo.

The French striker hit the side-netting a minute into the second period, but the travelling faithful only had to wait another ten minutes or so to celebrate the opener.

Joe Ledley it was to draw first blood, heading into the top corner after Hangeland headed back into the mixer following a Gayle corner.

It could be have been 1-1, however, just 90 seconds later as Mahrez rounded Speroni on the right and looked for a team-mate, only for McArthur to save the day with a vital interception.

With 20 minutes remaining, Puncheon could have put the game beyond Leicester with a brilliant effort from outside the box, curling inches wide with Schwarzer beaten.

Gayle shot straight at Schwarzer after intercepting a loose ball and ran through the middle to test the custodian, before Adlene Guedioura came on to replace him with 12 minutes remaining.

Late on, Palace had Speroni to thank once again as he pulled off a stunning save at his near post from Vardy.

And despite four minutes added on at the end, Palace defended superbly to make sure of all three points.

The Pardew effect continues and Palace go into next week's FA Cup clash with Liverpool in massive confidence.

Palace: Speroni, Ward, Kelly, Dann (Hangeland 46), Delaney, Ledley, McArthur, Zaha, Puncheon, Mutch (Sanogo 46), Gayle (Guedioura 78).

Subs Not Used: Hennessey, Mariappa, Murray, Campbell.

Attendance: 31,695. (3,267 Palace fans)

Referee: Lee Mason

Report by Palace reporter Mark Ritson

A FORMER paramedic's training helped save his life when he managed to diagnose himself as he was suffering a stroke.

Having responded to plenty of similar calls during his 25-year career with London Ambulance Service, Paul Schofield, 49, knew exactly what was happening when he felt his left side go numb on June 24 last year.

He got his mother to call for an ambulance and, as he began to lose control of his airway, was rushed to King's College Hospital's stroke ward.

"I had no speech, I had no control of my left arm and left leg," Paul said.

After a "fantastic" stay at Croydon University Hospital, and months of gruelling physiotherapy, Paul, set his sights on conquering the hills near his house and walks through South Norwood Country Park.

"I got transferred to Mayday, and I was a bit reluctant to go there, but I was told the stroke unit was very good," he said.

"They were right; they were absolutely fantastic, all the staff were brilliant.

"Since I moved back to Upper Norwood, physios took me up and down the streets and the first time I managed to walk up one of the hills; that was a really big achievement for me."

Paul still has to walk with the help of a stick though he finds it difficult to travel, especially when he has to negotiate trains or escalators.

"I have found it quite hard because I've gone from being very active to nothing and from nothing to mobile again," he said. "But I do my exercises every day and I've been quite determined. Doctors say it normally takes two or three years to get back. I've lost four stone altogether."

Paul said more people need to be aware of the signs of stroke, as it can happen at all ages and every second saved can limit its impact.

He explained: "I was only 48, and it even happens to children. When I was a paramedic I dealt with some stroke cases which totally threw me, I even helped a four-year-old who had a stroke.

"Obviously, there are different types of stroke. It does happen to younger people, but it's most commonly in people between 60 and 80.

"The signs can be obvious to some. I immediately diagnosed it being a paramedic, but the whole world needs to know.

"It's quite easily diagnosed and it helps because every second counts."

Paul, who retired as a paramedic before his stroke, is now set for a job working for a rail company, and also hopes to return to Florida to help with a mentoring scheme.

LEICESTER City manager Nigel Pearson could face an FA charge after an extraordinary incident towards the end of Crystal Palace's 1-0 win over his side.

James McArthur, the Palace midfielder, inadvertently knocked the Foxes boss to the ground, as he went in for a challenge close to the touchline technical area.

But as McArthur tried to get to his feet, Pearson appeared to grapple with the Scotsman before putting his hands on the Palace's man's throat.

McArthur attempted to escape and laugh the incident off but Pearson continued to keep hold of him and make it difficult for the former Wigan man - linked with a move to Leicester before joining Palace in the August window - to get back on the pitch.

After the game Pearson added another sinister edge to proceedings by, when asked about the clash by the BBC's reporter, simply replying that he could "handle himself".

If charged by the FA, Pearson could face the sort of sanctions imposed on the now-Palace boss Alan Pardew, who was banned for seven games after his headbutt on Hull's David Meyler while Newcastle manager last season.

CRYSTAL Palace manager Alan Pardew was full of praise for veteran defender Brede Hangeland after his side's win at Leicester.

The former Fulham man came on as a half-time substitute after Scott Dann suffered a head injury, and he defended well - as well as having a role in the game's only goal, heading the ball into the path of goalscorer Joe Ledley.

Pardew said: "Hangeland came on and I thought he was our best player.

"He was calm, great defensively, won everything and contributed to the goal, so kind of indirectly it worked for us."

The manager admitted his side were, perhaps, fortunate to win at the King Power - recognising Leicester had plenty of chances, especially in the first half.

"We were too loose in the first-half. Their wide players were having too much of an impact and we lacked a little bit of quality," Pardew added in his post-match interview with Sky Sports.

THE councillor responsible for public safety has insisted Croydon does not have a problem with alcohol-fuelled violence – as authorities announced the FIFTH measure to tackle the issue in little over a year.

In the past 13 months it has been made harder to open off-licences, buy super-strength beer and cider and, most recently, hold music events in the town centre, seemingly in response to an increase in violence and disorder linked to the night time economy.

The Safer Croydon Partnership, involving the council, police and local businesses, has now bought six breath-testing devices to ensure people are not too drunk to enter Croydon's pubs and clubs.

The devices are in the process of being delivered but, speaking this week, Cllr Mark Watson, cabinet member for safety and justice, suggested he did not think they were needed, and that the issue of alcohol-related crime and antisocial behaviour was in danger of being "overplayed".

"I wonder how useful they're going to be," he said. "I think our pubs and clubs are already doing a good job of stopping those who are too drunk from getting in. It's actually when they can't access a venue that they kick off.

"It will be good to try [the breath testing devices] but I think we already have a lot of sensible measures in place. We will have to see how it goes and evaluate it from there."

Police trialled the devices at two late-night venues in Croydon on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at the end of November. The idea followed successful schemes elsewhere in the country.

The devices consist of a cylindrical tube and a light which glows red if the person breathing into it is more than twice the drink-drive limit (80 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath). If so, they will be refused entry.

Croydon Police said this week that "anecdotal" evidence during the trial suggested the devices could be a success. "The venues reported fewer altercations caused by intoxicated customers attempting to gain entry and consequently a reduction in the potential for alcohol-related disorder," a spokesman said.

The devices are expected to be in use later this month and are the latest measure introduced by the council and police to address problem drinking.

In December 2013 the council approved new licensing powers designed to restrict the opening of new off-licences in "cumulative impact zones" covering certain areas of Croydon, including the town centre. In February 2014, Croydon was among 20 places to be designated a hotspot for alcohol issues and given extra support from the Government.

A few months later 34 town centre off-licences agreed to stop selling cheap, high-strength beer and cider as part of a council scheme aimed at tackling street and binge-drinking.

Croydon was one of six boroughs in London chosen to be part of a Metropolitan Police crackdown on begging and rough sleeping, including alcohol confiscations, on several occasions in 2014.

Then, at the end of the year, police told promoters they must sit an exam if they want to hold music events in Croydon town centre. Esther Sutton, chairman of Pubwatch, said the test would help arrest a "spike" in recent violent incidents.

Though the number of ambulance call-outs for binge drinking and assaults in the town centre are falling, police figures showing a 33 per cent increase in violent crime in 2014.

But that is the opposite of what police have said in recent public meetings and contradicts Cllr Watson's message.

"I think violence is under control," he said.

"If violence is going up it's because we have more police in the town centre so they are making more arrests.

"There is always more we could do. I'd like to disperse people as quickly as we can after they leave the bars.

"But I don't think we have a big problem or stand out from anywhere else. I think a lot of the measure we have are very sensible but we have to be careful not to go over the top."

A PRIMARY school is campaigning for a "lethal" slippery bridge to be improved after numerous children have fallen on their way to school.

The bridge, which crosses the railway line by Kenley Primary School, in New Barn Lane, is used by one third of pupils every day.

Head teacher Georgina Catanach said in cold weather the surface of the bridge freezes, making it treacherous for children and parents to cross.

Ms Catanach said she first told the council about the problem five years ago, when they drilled holes in the surface to drain water. But she said rain still collects on the walkway and steps.

She added: "It can become really, really dangerous. When it rains the top of the bridge floods.

"In winter, when it's frosty, the bridge is lethal – it freezes over and gets really slippery. It's concerning watching the children cross, especially when a parent is carrying a buggy and the little one is trying to manage the stairs. I stand out there and tell them to hold the handrail."

Over the years a number of pupils and parents have fallen on the bridge, with three children slipping this winter already.

Ms Catanach said the problem is worsened by a rail, used to wheel bikes up the steps, which stops children reaching the handrail on one side.

A 39-year-old mum, who asked not to be named, has been taking her two children, a five-year-old girl and seven-year-old boy, over the bridge for two years.

Both youngsters and their grandmother have fallen on the crossing.

She said: "My mum was shaken because she has had quite a few falls. She's not too good on her feet and it made her very nervous.

"She was coming up the steps of the bridge trying to keep an eye on the children and slipped. But it's on the route to school, so we have no choice."

The 39-year-old suffers from arthritis and said she drives her children to school when she can, to avoid the bridge.

"It's just an extra thing to worry about," she said.

Melanie Huggins, 42, carries her disabled daughter over the bridge in a buggy, every day.

"If it's icy, it's so dangerous," she said. "It's very precarious. I'm absolutely petrified.

"I dread it when the weather is bad."

Ms Huggins has two other daughters, aged ten and six, who both attend the school.

She could take a different route to avoid the bridge, but this would add 25 minutes to her journey.

"It's been as bad as this for as long as I can remember," she said. "The kids go up the steps in front of me holding the rail when it's icy. It's hard work.

"I could drive, but I don't live far from the school, so it seems pointless to take the car out, and I don't like having to keep bundling the children into the car because that's not good for them."

The structure of the bridge belongs to Network Rail, but Croydon Council is responsible for the surface and safety of pedestrians.

The council said it is aware of the problem and urged users to take care when temperatures fall below freezing.

A spokeswoman said: "We, and Network Rail, which owns the bridge, are looking at carrying out work to the middle landing on the steps on either side of the bridge to reduce the amount of water collecting on them.

"Gritting of the footbridge is carried out as part of the council's second level of priority footway routes, when conditions dictate."

Network Rail confirmed it is working with the council.

AT 2:05pm, three police vans pull up on Homestead Way having calmly driven through New Addington.

By 2:07pm, 17 police officers are in a property having battered their way through the suspects' front door and detained four men suspected of drugs offences.

It's quite a thing, not just to watch the speed at which the operation is carried out but at how much careful planning has gone into its execution.

The Advertiser arrived just an hour before this, but there have been months of work put into this blink-and-you'll miss it police blitz.

Police received intelligence in the summer that the address maybe being used to push drugs.

Another couple of reports and the police sent neighbourhood officers to give the place a "reccie". Confirming there may have been an issue, police decided to act and obtain a warrant from the magistrates' court under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.

This can take about a month and by the time this one was obtained and enough officers are booked to carry out the job, it was Wednesday (February 4).

The briefing takes place at Addington Police Station, in Addington Village Road, which is now a base for most of the police in the south of the borough and non-regular contact point for the public.

Sergeant Glenn Williams is the lead for the raid. He reminds the 17 officers, three special constables and one community support officer on the job "to take nice deep breaths because the adrenalin will be going".

He later tells the Advertiser: "What I am really trying to ensure is we keep that balance, because if anyone is doing the job then you have that adrenalin running but then we have a duty of care to those people we have detained."

Officers are reminded it is their own individual decision as to whether they handcuff the suspects, because of dangers over use of force.

Detailed intelligence is shown of the suspects and then different officers are told their duties for the raid. A PC on the team tells us the police would be carrying out these raids all the time if the public were willing to provide more information about criminality.

When we arrive at Homestead Way, we exit the vans as soon as the foot is off the pedal, lining up behind bushes out of the line of sight. Some officers were dropped off earlier in various locations in the roads surrounding to make sure the exits to the suspects' property are covered – a hazard of New Addington's rat-run layout.

The rest of us scuttle along behind the bushes before officers get out the battering ram to break the door down in seconds.

One of the suspects – hearing noise – swings the upstairs window open and shouts but is detained within seconds along with three other men in the house. Drugs are found in the property almost immediately, with a full search taking place afterwards.

The four men, aged between 18 and 23, were taken into custody at a south London police station.

Sgt Williams explained the importance of these raids: "It comes down to the whole criminality element. There is a link to drug use and other types of crime and the impact on the community can be huge. We rely on people ringing Crimestoppers and we would urge people to do so."

You can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

CRYSTAL Palace winger Yannick Bolasie is itching to return to south London on the back of his successful African Cup of Nations experience.

Bolasie played a big part in helping his country Democratic Republic of Congo to a fantastic third-place finish and collect a bronze medal.

It had been 17 years since they had reached the semi-final stage in which they were defeated by Ivory Coast, but they finished with a 4-2 penalty shootout win against Equatorial Guinea following a goalless draw.

With Palace excelling under Alan Pardew right now and Mile Jedinak also returning from winning the Asia Cup with Australia, the morale within the Eagles' squad will be sky high.

"Crystal Palace have been on the fly at the moment," Bolasie said.

"We've won five games and lost one (under Pardew) so the mood is much higher.

"Hopefully, I can come back and restore even more confidence as well.

"Have I missed the Premier League? You could say that, but I've enjoyed my time (at the AFCON tournament).

"I think my own personal performance has been pretty good. I've got three fair play awards, two Man of the Match awards and a bronze medal, so I think it's gone well.

"It's been a great achievement for us personally and as a nation. I'm really happy because it's been a good tournament."

By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)

COUNCIL house rents will go up by an average of 2.2 per cent in April.

The increase, which is in line with Government formulas, was presented to a meeting of the council's tenants and leaseholders panel on Wednesday and will be confirmed at the council tax meeting of the cabinet on February 16.

Under the new rate, average rents will go up by £2.40 a week from £109.26 to £111.66.

The increased income will feed into the housing revenue account and will help overall reserves rise from £9.8 million this year to just under £15.5 million in the financial year starting in April.

At the same time, the council will dip into the reserves to increase the amount it intends to spend on building new council homes in the coming financial year from £6 million to £10 million.

Councillor Alison Butler, the cabinet member for homes and regeneration, did, however, reject a suggestion from her Conservative opposite number, Councillor Dudley Mead, to use money from the reserves to give tenants what he described as a "two-week rent holiday".

Tenants were given a similar deal by the Conservatives last year and Cllr Mead said he believed it was worth repeating.

He said he accepted rents had to go up in line with Government requirements but with the increase in reserves and record levels of rent collection, suggested something could be given back to tenants.

Cllr Mead added: "I spent £1 million from reserves last year to give tenants who paid their rent on time a two-week break from paying. I think the council can afford to do it again."

However, Cllr Butler described the idea as "a bit of a gimmick".

LEICESTER City have parted company with manager Nigel Pearson, according to widespread reports this evening.

It seems that as well as their poor run of form, that Saturday's touchline incident with Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur is the final straw for the Foxes' owners.

Leicester are rock bottom of the Premier League on 17 points and have won twice in their last 19 Premier League games.

McArthur fell into Pearson's legs on the touchline at the King Power Stadium after going in for a challenge and could have no way gone anywhere else as he landed.

Pearson wasn't even watching the midfielder's tumble, so when he made contact it was more of a shock to the former.

The manager went to help McArthur up and also appeared to have the player by the throat - and as he got to his feet, Pearson didn't let him go too easily to resume play.

The incident was played down by McArthur post-match, while Pearson says something was said to him by the Scottish international.

A FORMER Conservative councillor who served West Thornton ward for 14 years has died at the age of 93.

Yvonne Stewart was part of a husband and wife team who served the north of the borough.

She was first elected to Croydon Council in 1974 and served until 1986. Her husband, Stephen who died in 1995, served on the old Greater London Council for Croydon between 1967 and 1973 and Croydon North West from 1977 until 1986.

Mrs Stewart and her husband lived in Kingswood Avenue, Thornton Heath, for many years but she later moved to Rosewood Lodge sheltered accommodation in Wickham Road, Shirley.

The couple's association with Conservative politics in the north of the borough stretched back 70 years, campaigning for three MPs, Fred Harris, Bob Taylor and Humfrey Malins.

Mrs Stewart leaves a son, Robin, and daughter, Valerie.

Robin said: "My mother was a traditional old-school politician who, with my father, dedicated her time to her constituents."

Leicester City has tonight issued a statement stating that manager Nigel Pearson remains in charge.

There had been reports earlier that Pearson had been sacked by the Premier League's bottom side.

It comes following an incident with Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur in Saturday's 1-0 home defeat.

As well as winning just two league games in their last 19 matches, Pearson didn't take kindly to McArthur colliding with him following a challenge on a Leicester player from the midfielder.

Despite what appeared to be Pearson helping the Scotsman up after putting his hands near to his neck, Pearson then kept hold of McArthur's shirt.

The player dismissed the incident after the game.

Leicester's official statement says: "Contrary to media speculation on Sunday evening, Nigel remains the Club's First Team Manager. Reports to the contrary are inaccurate and without foundation.

"Nigel, his staff and the first team squad are entirely focused on Tuesday night's trip to Arsenal and our continued efforts to secure our position in the Barclays Premier League."

JOE Ledley says three points was the minimum requirement heading to Leicester City on Saturday.

Thankfully, the Eagles got them thanks to the Welshman's winner ten minutes into the second half, when he headed in off the underside of the bar.

The win moved Palace up on to 26 points but Ledley said the Foxes certainly played their part and made it difficult him and his team-mates.

"Three points is the main thing and it was the icing on the cake to get the winning goal," said the central midfielder.

"We defended brilliantly in the second half. In the first, we actually started well, which we haven't done for a long time.

"We had a few chances but after that we were hanging on, so credit to Leicester. They played some good football.

"We knew coming to Leicester that a point wasn't enough. If you want to survive you need to go to these places and other teams around you needing three points.

"In my head I knew we needed that. It wasn't the best of performances from us but we'll take the result all day."

By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)

JAMES McArthur certainly puts in the mileage when he steps foot on a football pitch.

And that was again evident on Saturday by the Crystal Palace midfielder with yet another workhorse performance in the middle of the park at Leicester City.

The interceptions and dirty work can sometimes goes unnoticed, but the Scottish international insists he's just doing his job.

So, what's the secret to his high level of performance?

"Lots of sugar!," joked the Eagles star, who helped his side keep a clean sheet in the 1-0 win at the King Power Stadium.

"It's part of my game to be fit. I may not have that flair that some of the players have in the team but I need to make sure my energy levels are high and help the team.

"That's what I bring to the table."

McArthur admitted it wasn't the prettiest of victories in the East Midlands, but three points is three points, and the win saw Palace move six points clear of the relegation zone.

"I thought the win it was vitally important and the manager was looking for a reaction from us. He got that," he said.

"At times it was very ugly but when you're down the bottom you need to be and resolute, which we were.

"It was also important to getting back to clean sheets."

By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)

CRYSTAL Palace hero Julian Speroni was quick to share the praise with his team-mates after Saturday's 1-0 win at Leicester City.

The shot-stopper was in fine form, making three outstanding saves to keep the Eagles in the game and make sure they were on course for a clean sheet.

In particular, Speroni pulled off a stunning point-blank stop to deny Jeffrey Schlupp in the first half and then divert a strong shot from Jamie Vardy in the second half at his near post.

"It was a team performance, of course," he insisted.

"It's pleasing when you make some saves which helps the team to win the game but I thought everybody did their job.

"The lads were there to pick up the rebounds, so I am just pleased for the clean sheet.

"I just tried to stay big and not gamble. I just felt if it came to me, I would save."

Speroni also had high praise for substitute Brede Hangeland, after the defender came on for Scott Dann at the break and assisted Joe Ledley for the winning goal early in the second half.

The custodian revealed the squad gave the former Norway international a special clap around the dressing room post-match, too.

"He was an example. It's not easy to come on at half-time and perform the way he did," said Speroni.

"I am really, really pleased for him. He's top, top professional and he deserves to have played the way he did.

"There was a round of applause for him from us because he was fantastic."

By Mark Ritson (Twitter @MR_LWMedia)