Leicester Tigers turned down the chance to sign Ireland and Munster legend Peter Stringer to keep faith with youngsters like Scott Steele, according to director of rugby Richard Cockerill.

Steele, an 18-year-old Scotland Under-20 player, is likely to be on the bench again when Tigers meet Newcastle Falcons in the Aviva Premiership clash at Welford Road on Saturday.

The Academy player was No.2 to James Grindal at Saracens last weekend.

And, with Ben Youngs on England duty, Micky Young suspended and Sam Harrison likely to be out for a month with an ankle injury, those two will be in the squad for the Newcastle game.

Tigers could have signed the experienced Stringer on loan as cover but Cockerill said he had learned from a "mistake" he made last season. Stringer has since joined Saracens.

He has decided to go with Steele, who was born in Dumfries and has played in the Scotland age-group sides.

"With Ben away, Micky banned and Sam not fit for a few weeks, Scott Steele will continue to deputise for us behind James Grindal," said Cockerill.

"We could have had Peter Stringer but we decided against it because we had two league games and then two LV= Cup games which Peter could not have played in.

"Then we would get Ben Youngs back from England and Young and Harrison should both be available around that time too.

"Last year we brought in Jason Spice to cover for injuries at scrum-half instead of using Sam Harrison and, in hindsight, that could have been a mistake.

"So this time, we have Grindal and we have chosen to go with Scott as our reserve scrum-half.

"From experience, maybe last year I should have given Sam more game-time instead of getting someone else in.

"It is time to trust Grinders. He has a lot of experience and did a good job at Saracens. If Scott has to play, he has been really good for us.

"He is from Dumfries and his dad used to be a referee. He has played some cameo roles for the second team and we picked him up when the Scottish regions were not picking him.

"He came down on trial and did really well in the second team. The lad will have to step up and have a crack and I know he is not shy of having a go."

With fly-half Toby Flood and centre Manu Tuilagi missing from the side that won at Vicarage Road, Cockerill also faces a few selection issues, especially at tight-head prop and fly-half.

Does he recall 38-year-old Julian White after suspension in place of Samoan Logoviii Mulipola?

And will the experienced fly-half Jeremy Staunton get the nod over George Ford in a game where Newcastle are likely to defend en bloc?

Alesana Tuilagi is fit again and is likely to complete a back three with Horacio Agulla and skipper Geordan Murphy, who will make his 300th appearance for the club if selected.