Foxes have to settle for share of the points

NEW Leicester manager and Irish Examiner columnist Ian Holloway was unable to record a second win in three days as Cardiff hung on for a point at the Walkers Stadium.

A stunning first-half save from Kasper Schmeichel prevented Richard Stearman from opening the scoring for the home side while Peter Whittingham hit the crossbar for the Bluebirds within seconds of the restart.

Leicester were the better side in the final half-hour with Iain Hume and Matty Fryatt both going close to breaking the deadlock as Foxes fans turned out in force to greet their new manager in his first home game. The crowd of 27,246 was their best of the season.

Luck appeared to be on Schmeichel’s side when Hume’s volley cannoned back off the post, off the back of his head, and out for a corner with the on-loan Manchester City keeper beaten.

But the search for a winner was to prove ultimately fruitless, meaning the Foxes’ search for a first league victory over the Bluebirds since April 1982 would have to wait for another day.

* Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack survived 45 minutes of a reserve team match last night as he prepared to return to first-team action.

The Germany star has been out injured for seven months and undergone two operations on his ankle but was watched by manager Avram Grant against Birmingham’s second string at Brentford last night.

The 31-year-old came off at half-time and will resume training with the first team on Thursday after they have returned from the Champions League trip to Rosenborg.

“It’s my first 45 minutes for a long time,” Ballack said.

“I feel good. It’s a long time to wait because of injury so I am happy to be back.

“You are a little bit careful. I’ll train next week and see how it is, then maybe have another game in the reserves.

“I’m looking forward to playing in the first team.”

Birmingham won 2-0.