James Grindal believes Leicester Tigers can bounce back from the defeat by Leeds Carnegie and qualify for the LV= Cup semi-finals.

The scrum-half, who captained the side for the first time in the defeat at Headingley last Sunday, is confident Tigers can win their remaining three pool games.

They meet Newport Dragons at home tomorrow, when Lote Tuqiri is expected to make his first start, followed by Bath at home on January 30 and Northampton Saints away on February 6.

No-one is sure what it will take to win a pool because, for the first time in this Anglo-Welsh competition, teams from one pool play teams from another. Tigers are in Pool One, Newport in Pool Four

But Grindal, 29, who is expected to be on the bench with Ben Youngs getting another opportunity, said: "Our aim is to win the remaining three games, of which two are at home.

"It will be interesting if it comes down to that last fixtures against the Saints.

"But we think we can win three from three. Even though we started off with a loss we can come back.

"Okay, this may be our third priority, but every game is massive, particularly at Welford Road."

While the LV= Cup comes way behind the Heineken Cup and Guinness Premiership in Tigers' thoughts, Grindal insists that is no reason to take their foot off the pedal.

"Every time you pull on a Leicester shirt you want to give it your all," he said.

"It's personal pride. You don't want to let down your team mates, the coaches or the fans who pay their money.

"Tomorrow is no different. Okay it's the Anglo-Welsh and we lost last weekend, but that should give us more incentive to get back to winning ways, and start building some momentum back for the Guinness Premiership game against Gloucester next week."

While Saracens were the only team in Pool One to win last weekend, Newport were one of three to win in Pool Four. They beat Sale 20-9 at home.

Grindal said: "I don't think many of the players understand the system, we just see who we are playing and do our best to win.

"Newport will be a different kettle of fish to Leeds. They will put out their strongest side and it will be the usual Anglo-Welsh ferocious fixture.

"We want to put out a side that holds on to our home record. We are expecting a very physical battle, but we think we have got enough to win."

Grindal said he was proud to have captained Tigers last Sunday, adding: "I was involved the previous Friday against South Africa and what an experience that was. I had half an eye on the Sunday game and it was a great honour to be captain, albeit of a less experienced side.

"But if you look at the quality of the Academy players coming through and the senior guys who played in the game it shows where the club is at. There's good things to come."

Grindal, back at Welford Road after a spell at Newcastle, is looking forward to the battle for the No.9 shirt with Ben Youngs and Harry Ellis who is expected back from injury soon.

"I'd like to think I'm playing well and I'm enjoying it," he said. Every time I'm given a chance I do my best to push my case for the starting berth.

"Even though I'm 29 I think my best years are ahead of me."