City news in 250 words

A MAN has been arrested following the rape of a student in Platt Fields Park. A 20-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of rape and remains in police custody for questioning following the attack on Sunday. Detectives are continuing to appeal for information and witnesses, as it is believed that two men carried out the attack.

TWO TRAM STOPS will be closed from Saturday in the city centre. Tracks are being replaced at Piccadilly Gardens and Piccadilly railway station. Trams between Altrincham and Bury will bypass the two stops, while Eccles line trams will finish at Victoria station. Free shuttle buses will run between Piccadilly Station and Market street until the new tracks are ready at the end of November.

SHOTS were fired at police last night in Salford as they chased a car of suspected thieves along Eccles New Road. No one was injured by the shot and the Skoda sped away to Trafford Road, where the four occupants abandoned it. Four officers then chased the suspects on foot. Supt Ian Palmer, of Salford Police, said: "This demonstrates the risks police officers can face whilst going about their daily duties.”

MARK HUGHES is making no excuses for City's surprise departure from the Carling Cup. He told mcfc.co.uk: “We showed character to get level and get to penalties, but we should have never allowed it to get to that stage with the chances we had in the second half, when we should have put the game to bed.”