Leicester City midfielder Richie Wellens could be set for a return to his former club Doncaster.

The Mercury understands Rovers' new boss Paul Dickov is "very interested" in acquiring the services of the 33-year-old.

The League One champions are looking to add experience to their squad ahead of next season's Championship survival campaign.

Wellens has fallen out of favour at City, making just four appearances for them last season as well as being sent on a month-long loan stint to Ipswich as he recovered from a cruciate ligament injury.

That is compared to 46 appearances the former club captain made the season before when he was a linchpin of Nigel Pearson's first-team squad.

Former City striker Dickov knows Wellens well from their time together during the Scot's second stint at the club from 2008-2010 and he is said to be keen to work with him again.

Doncaster is a club Wellens knows extremely well, having made 97 appearances for them between 2007-09 before making the £1million switch to City.

It is understood that preliminary discussions have already been made over a potential return to the Keepmoat Stadium for Wellens, but that Dickov is looking to spend as little as possible to do so.

Wellens still has one year left on his contract and it is not yet known whether or not he will be released from it, or whether Doncaster would be expected to pay a fee to acquire him.

Agreeing terms could also be a potential sticking point in the deal as Doncaster would not be able to match the wages that Wellens is currently on at City.

But with Dickov so keen to get Wellens on board, and his future at City seemingly over, it looks like it could be a deal which suits both parties.

City declined to comment on the situation.

It marks the beginning of a potential summer overhaul at the King Power Stadium as Pearson looks to shape his squad for next season's promotion push, while also making sure the club comply with looming Financial Fair Play regulations.

This follows the news yesterday that Republic of Ireland defender Sean St Ledger was quoted in the Irish press as being "surplus to requirements" at City and should try to find a new club.

It is also understood that Pearson's former club, newly-promoted Hull, have Kasper Schmeichel on their list of summer targets as a deal with Fulham for loanee goalkeeper David Stockdale looks to be falling through.

A harrowing thought for those fans sick to death of Leicester Tigers appearing in finals – it looks like they will only get better.

While the Premiership's rugby players hang up their boots for the summer, one look at Leicester's squad for the 2013-14 campaign shows a side that is maturing into, potentially, a great one.

That word "great" is painfully overused by the sporting media.

But Leicester's team at the turn of the century was a great one – and the current crop has similar potential.

No, they have not achieved as much as the likes of messrs Johnson, Back, Rowntree and Healey just yet – but this is a squad brimming with potential.

A large group in the squad are all around the 26 and 27-year-old mark, meaning they have plenty left in their bodies and plenty of experience already under their belts.

The core of the squad have come through the Academy and hold the values of the club close to their hearts.

There is also a tremendous friendship between the playing group. This is a bunch of guys who enjoy spending time with each other away from the field, as much as on it.

The core of the current squad are director of rugby Cockerill's children. Youngsters who were breaking into the first team when he took charge in 2008, they have grown together under his management.

That continuity has bred success and, if Leicester can make a successful transition from Matt O'Connor to his replacements in the attack and defence coaching roles, there is no reason why this group cannot grow further and continue to dominate the league for some time to come.

Cockerill said, in the immediate aftermath of his side's 37-17 win over the Saints in the final, that he didn't think his Premiership squad had any idea just how good they are.

This is a squad that has been decimated by international call-ups this season and only hit top form in fleeting glances on their way to a Heineken Cup quarter-final and a Premiership title.

They didn't even play particularly well in the final – and they still won by 20 points.

Try looking at it this way. Leicester have turned it on this season to win at Exeter and Northampton and they blew Harlequins away in the second half of the semi-final. Apart from that, they have been business-like, dogged and often done enough in some games through sheer strength of character.

Heaven only knows what they could achieve if they had their full squad available to them all season.

There will be no big names coming to the club this summer, but Tigers have done their best business in years by getting Ben and Tom Youngs, Julian Salvi, Steve Mafi, Mat Tait, Tom Croft and Geoff Parling to sign new deals.

This squad is starting to look frighteningly good and, by the looks of this year's business, they are here to stay.

The muted reaction to another Leicester Premiership triumph was discerningly noticeable on social media last weekend.

Some of the written media, meanwhile, were more bothered about Cockerill's brief and animated discussion with the fourth official after skipper Toby Flood was knocked out of the game, than any merits of the winning side.

There was respect for Leicester – but little joy.

That's no surprise. It's boring that Leicester are so good and have made nine consecutive finals. Really boring. Manchester United's dominance of football's Premier League does not make for a good story either. And neither did the Boston Celtics basketball team's eight consecutive NBA titles from 1959 to 1966, or baseball's New York Yankees 10 titles in 16 years between 1947-62.

Tigers may have some way to go to reach that level of consistency just yet, but there is no reason to doubt they can keep on winning titles with the current squad at the club.

The rest of English rugby can expect to fear the worst for some time to come.

Newark MP Patrick Mercer has announced he is quitting parliament amid allegations he broke lobbying rules.

The backbencher said he was resigning the Tory whip immediately "to save my party embarrassment" and would not stand at the next General Election.

The move came after he was caught up in a joint sting by the BBC's Panorama programme and the Daily Telegraph.

The investigation is believed to have focused on Mr Mercer's alleged lobbying on behalf of Fiji – a country he tabled Commons questions on last month.

In a statement, the former shadow minister said: "Panorama is planning to broadcast a programme alleging that I have broken Parliamentary rules.

"I am taking legal advice about these allegations – and I have referred myself to the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.

"In the meantime, to save my party embarrassment, I have resigned the Conservative whip and have so informed chief whip Sir George Young.

"I have decided not to stand at the next General Election."

Mr Mercer's relations with David Cameron have long been fraught, and as news leaked out yesterday morning there was initially speculation he could be quitting in protest or defecting to the UK Independence Party (UKIP).

However, a Tory spokesman said the Prime Minister thought the MP had "done the right thing".

"It's important the due processes take their course," the spokesman said.

The former Army colonel served as shadow homeland security minister until 2007, stepping down after suggesting that racism was "part and parcel" of life in the forces.

Downing Street will hope to avoid a by-election in Newark, where Nigel Farage's UKIP could pose a threat despite the 16,000 majority secured in 2010.

However, pressure for the MP to leave the Commons immediately could grow when the Telegraph publishes details of the allegations today, while Panaroma is expected to air on Monday.

Conservative backbencher Zac Goldsmith said the case highlighted the need for voters to get powers to force by-elections – a change promised by the coalition but seemingly stalled.

"If it's bad enough for you to resign from your party, how can it be okay to continue representing constituents at all? Where's that Recall?!", he posted on Twitter.

Parliamentary records show Mr Mercer asked questions last month about Fiji's suspension from the Commonwealth, and UK investment in its public transport.

In March, he put down an Early Day Motion – a parliamentary device used to draw attention to issues – saying there was "no justification for Fiji's continued suspension from the Commonwealth".

A BBC spokesman said: "Panorama has been investigating lobbying and the conduct of MPs and members of the House of Lords.

"The programme is still being made and will be broadcast as soon as possible. The investigation has raised a number of issues related to those involved.

"Panorama has sought responses from a number of people, including Mr Mercer."

A mould used to create the biggest bell in England has been put on display in a park.

The 14-tonne mould used to make the Great Paul bell, in St Paul's Cathedral, in London, has been installed in Queen's Park, Loughborough.

The case was made for Taylor's Bell Foundry, in the town, in 1881.

It had been on temporary display in Market Place after years of being hidden away in a yard at the foundry.

It has been mounted on a plinth outside Charnwood Museum in the shadow of the Carillon tower, which also has bells cast at Taylor's.

Charnwood Borough Council leisure spokesman Paul Harley said: "The casing looks spectacular and is a real attention-grabbing feature which complements the park, Charnwood Museum and the Carillon.

"This is an important part of Loughborough's industrial heritage.

Andrew Higson, of Taylor's, said: "The case has only been used twice in its 132-year history, once in 1881 for Great Paul and once in 1940 for Great George, of Liverpool Anglican Cathedral.

"It has been out of sight, gently rusting since then.

"We are delighted the colossal size of the bell case can be seen to full effect."

Installation took just over a month and was paid for with money from developer Saxondale Properties, following its construction of the Premier Inn, in Southfield Road.

Scores of youngsters sang happy birthday to children's book character Spot the dog after seeing him in a play.

They had seen a production of Spot's Birthday Party at Curve, in Leicester, written by David Wood, who had adapted the story from the books by Eric Hill.

Mr Wood joined members of the cast as they mingled with children and their parents after the 55-minute performance yesterday.

The show is part of this year's two-week Spark Festival, which runs until June 9.

It presents theatre, dance and music performances and visual and digital events for children aged up to 13, in theatres, school and community venues.

Festival spokeswoman Francesca Wright said: "We have a very good crowd for the first showing on Friday. The children, who were aged from two to five, loved mixing with the cast and we were delighted that David Wood was at the theatre to see the adaptation."

There is another performance of the production today.

Francesca said: "We have a number of exciting productions during the festival.

"People can also seek out free events at Phoenix and New Walk Museum.

"We have magical shows for all ages, as well as opportunities to participate."

The reconstructed head of King Richard III will visit another city on its tour of the UK.

Gloucester has now been added to the tour of English cities which is showcasing the detailed replica of the monarch.

Richard was made Duke of Gloucester in 1461, and in 1483 he made it a city.

The head, which is on display in Leicester's Guildhall museum, is due to visit Gloucester in March, shortly before it returns to Leicester to go on permanent display.

The model relies on pinpoint details from a CT scan taken of the king's skull by Leicester Royal Infirmary, following the discovery of his remains beneath the Greyfriars car park in August last year by a team of archaeologists from the University of Leicester.

Sir Peter Soulsby, mayor of Leicester, said: "I am delighted that this extraordinary replica of King Richard's head will be seen by so many visitors in historic English cities with which he had links.

"It is only right Gloucester is on that list, and I hope it proves as popular an attraction there as it has done here."

The head will remain on display at Leicester's Guildhall until June 8, after which it will go to Bosworth Battlefield, where the king was killed in 1485.

From there, it will go on to Yorkshire and Northamptonshire. The head will then go on display at the British Museum in London before travelling to Gloucester.

It will return to Leicester in the spring to go on permanent display at the city's new Richard III visitor centre, which is being created at the former Leicester Grammar School in St Martin's Place, next to the grave site.

A man used a cloned bank card to dishonestly obtain a £6,000 second-hand car.

Hinesh Popat (24) admitted fraud by false representation, by using a false bank card to obtain a Honda Civic, on July 28.

Leicester Crown Court was told Popat, of Thomson Close, Rushey Mead, Leicester, was with an associate when he visited Barot Cars, Melton Road.

The car was later exchanged in Loughborough for a different vehicle.

The cloned card was found to relate to a bank account in the Middle East.

Popat also admitted fraudulently using a different cloned card, with two unknown associates, to obtain a total of £329 of alcohol from the Wine Store, Melton Road, on July 24.

When pursued for payment by the victims he fobbed them off with excuses and promises, the court was told.

He was sentenced to a two-year community order, with a nine-month alcohol-treatment programme, and to complete 140 hours of unpaid work.

Judge Philip Head said: "These transactions were fraudulent from the outset and you knew perfectly well they were bent cards.

"You're not before me for cloning the cards, if you were you'd be in even more trouble."

James Bide-Thomas, mitigating, said Popat, who is being treated for bipolar disorder, was willing to do unpaid work.

Singing superstar Engelbert Humperdinck has penned a touching tribute poem to his sister, who has died, aged 82.

The Leicester legend, who divides his time between Los Angeles and Great Glen, with his wife Pat, wrote the loving ode to his big sister, Celine Ayton.

Jacqui Holford, niece to Celine and Engelbert, said: "It is a lovely thing for Uncle Enge to do. The poem is sweet and everyone loves it."

Engelbert was moved to words after Celine died last week following a long battle with illness.

Mrs Holford, who lives in Leicester, said Celine was married to former Leicester City player Jimmy Ayton, who died a few years ago. She also worked as manageress at Roses Fashion Centre, in High Street, Leicester, and was the house-keeper at her parish church.

She said: "Auntie Celine was a strong character, always there for everybody else, in person or at the other end of the phone.

"She was a giver, not a taker. Her son, Tommy, said she always saved her change in a big bottle and when it was full she would cash it in and give it to her chosen charity."

Celine, who lived in Leicester, had two sons, Kenny and Tommy, and a daughter Theresa.

Mrs Holford said: "She was a granny and a great-granny to a beautiful family, whom she adored and spent many happy hours with."

Mrs Ayton was one of 10 siblings – seven sisters and three brothers – to their mother, Olive Dorsey. She is the first of the 10 to die.

Mrs Holford said: "She has left a huge void in all our lives and, to each and every one of us, she has left memories that we will all cherish.

"Auntie Celine cared full-time for both of my grandparents and was always lively and full of fun. There is so much more we can say about her, she was much loved and will be missed."

Mrs Holford said that Engelbert is unable to attend the funeral as he is tending to his sick wife in America.

She said: "Uncle Enge is torn between his beloved sister and the recuperation of his wife. As soon as he is able, he will come home to support his family."

A family funeral will be held on June 7, at 12.15pm, at St Peter's Church, in Hinckley Road, Leicester.

British & Irish Lions boss Warren Gatland says there are "no preconceived ideas" about the make-up of his first Test team that will tackle Australia this month.

That selection process effectively begins at Hong Kong Stadium today when 2009 Lions captain Paul O'Connell leads the tourists into action.

Starting with the Barbarians, there are six games before Gatland's Test XV runs out against the Wallabies in Brisbane.

"What we've always said is that everyone will get a start in the first three games, and we will look at certain combinations, mixing and matching a little bit," head coach Gatland said.

"The great thing at the moment is there is a huge amount of competition within the squad.

"I think a lot of players feel that if they play well and put their hand up, they've got a chance of being selected.

"The guys who go out today get their first opportunity to set a mark and put some pressure on the other players in the squad.

"In terms of the Test side, probably not until after the first four games will we actually even start thinking about that. I think it is important that these players feel like they've got a chance to go out and impress.

"As coaches and management, we are not going around with any preconceived ideas about what we think the Test side should look like."

O'Connell will seal his comeback from serious injury by captaining the Lions today. Only a few months ago, the 33-year-old Ireland lock did not expect to be part of what is now his third Lions mission.

But with tour skipper Sam Warburton resting a knee injury, O'Connell takes over as leader against the Barbarians.

"I suppose around Christmas, and even two or three months after Christmas, I certainly thought I wouldn't be here, so to be here and now captaining the side is fantastic," said O'Connell, who was laid low by groin and back problems.

"I am delighted. It's a very exciting occasion. We've had a few great weeks, and it has gone up another level since the Leicester boys and the Leinster boys came in (last weekend).

"I am disappointed for Sam. He has run a great ship the last few weeks."

Solitary Irishman O'Connell will take charge of a team containing nine Welshmen – including the entire back row of Dan Lydiate, Justin Tipuric and Toby Faletau – three Scots and two English.

Organisers of a 26-hour rugby match hope to break a world record and raise £50,000 for charity.

The game, at Leicester Tigers' Welford Road stadium, involves a team put together by charity Scotty's Little Soldiers, taking on members of the armed forces.

The game kicked off at 11am yesterday and was due to end between noon and 1pm today.

Organiser Nikki Scott, who founded the national charity, said: "Our original aim was to raise £20,000 but, before kick-off, we already had £40,000 through sponsorship, which is amazing. We'd love to reach £50,000.

"The charity was set up to support the children who have lost parents who were serving in the armed forces – those killed on tour, but also people who died from illnesses or accidents.

"Our aim is to ultimately set up lots of holiday homes.

"We've got members of the armed forces from all over taking part in the game, including two lads from regiments in Germany and others who have come from Cornwall, Wales and Essex.

"The plan is to get to 26 hours to beat the previous record of just over 24 hours."

The current world record for the longest game of rugby union is held by Congleton Rugby Club and is for just over 24 hours.

See Monday's paper for more pictures of the event and to find out how the players got on