Wells bells

Oxford City Council's planning committee has deferred until Friday at 9.30 the decision on whether or not to grant permission for the detailed consent of the leisure proposals at Minchery Farm. The reason for this is to allow millionaire landowner Les Wells to address the committee for five minutes with his comments following a last minute fax this morning. Any permission granted today would anyway have been contingent on objections received within the next 48 hours so, although an objection from English Heritage was rejected, it was always likely that a major opponent of the scheme, such as Wells, might try and scupper the deal.

Firoz Kassam is understandably concerned at the Les Wells' position, although expressed his delight that the English Heritage obstacle was removed. He still insists that builders need to be on site this Monday in order for the project to be completed in time for the start of next season. Presumably Kassam just needs to give Barr the nod for them to get back on site as it is likely that they will have geared up already. Maybe their contract has a penalty clause should there be any further delays, hence Kassam's concern, or maybe there really is a danger to the timetable slipping if there are any further delays.

Crucial cruciates

Paul Powell's injury apparently isn't as bad as initially reported. The specialist who saw Powelly decided that surgery isn't necessary and that with natural healing and some rigorous muscle-building exercises Powell could be back playing in as little as three months. One trusts that the club will have learnt from previous mistakes and not allow Powell back until he is truly fully fit.

A couple of goals

Matty Elliott scored Leicester City's second goal in their 2-1 win over Ipswich at Filbert Street. Jim Magilton was Ipswich's goalscorer from a penalty two minutes from time – the first goal Leicester have conceded this season.