Football in brief
Leicester City: Pearson will not apologise to fan
Nigel Pearson has refused to apologise to a fan after their heated exchange. The Leicester City manager said he has a clear conscience following the row during the 3-1 home defeat to Liverpool on Tuesday. Footage has emerged of him arguing on the touchline with a supporter but Pearson, who is unlikely to be disciplined by the club, would not apologise. "I have had run-ins with fans in the past and in the heat of the moment these things happen and there won't be any apology. Let's put it like this, it's best if we don't speak about what happened on either side, I'm not going to repeat what happened here. If people were offended by what happened in some way that is regrettable but there's no need for me to apologise to someone of that ilk." PA
Everton
Roberto Martínez marked Ross Barkley's 21st birthday by insisting the midfielder has "improved massively" since last season and is adapting to being singled out by Everton's opponents. Barkley's last goal was on 3 May against Manchester City, whom Everton play on Saturday and a club who have made no secret of their admiration for the Liverpool-born talent. Martínez denies the Premier League champions made an approach for Barkley in the summer and insists the midfielder remains on course to fulfil his potential. "I think he has improved massively," he said. "Ross is developing all the time. I am very pleased with his performances." Andy Hunter
Aston Villa
The England midfielder Fabian Delph has returned to training as he fights to return for some of Aston Villa's Christmas fixtures. The 25-year-old dislocated his shoulder after falling awkwardly in training in October and was ruled out until the end of March. However, Paul Lambert said Delph is making good progress since having surgery and was able to make a tentative return to training this week. He said: "Fabian's coming on, he trained with the team today. It's non-contact at the minute but he's doing really well." Villa are at home to bottom-placed Leicester on Sunday. PA
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