Cockerill's playing budget has been restricted for this season

Leicester Tigers head coach Richard Cockerill has been told there is not the money to make two new signings.

Cockerill would like to add French full-back Nicolas Jeanjean and Argentina wing Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino to his injury-hit squad.

He told BBC Radio Leicester: "I'd like to sign both of them, but at the moment I'm told we haven't got the money.

"It's not a battle, it's not a disagreement, it's just the way things are at the moment."

The Tigers have had a number of injury problems for the start of the season with fly-halves Toby Flood and Sam Vesty and winger Alesana Tuilagi all out with long-term problems.

Former All Blacks centre Aaron Mauger is nursing a back problem.

Jeanjean and Gonzalez have both been on trial at the club and have impressed the coaching staff.

But the Tigers have invested heavily in a £30m redevelopment of Welford Road over the summer and that cost may have affected the budget for new players.

"We'll have to ride the storm of the injury problems. If we don't have the players, we have to work round it with the players we've got," Cockerill added.

But the former England international has not yet given up hope of adding to his squad.

"It's a bit like asking your dad for pocket money, he keeps saying no. But, if you nag him long enough he might actually give it to you."

After losing to Sale on the opening day of the season, Tigers continue the defence of their Premiership at Harlequins on 12 September.

You can hear Harlequins v Leicester Tigers on BBC Radio Leicester DAB and online at bbc.co.uk/leicester

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