Basketball: Leicester left to lament

MARK CONSIDINE, the Leicester City Riders centre, deserted the English game this week to sign for the Belgian club, Ghent, writes Duncan Hooper.

The Riders received a paltry pounds 1,000 fee for the player, who was determined to leave the First Division club after last month being denied a move to Doncaster Panthers, the Second Division leaders.

Considine's departure has increased the frustration at Leicester who are trying to cling to a top eight place in the division, which will earn them a berth in the quarter-finals of the play-offs.

Doncaster face one of the strongest challenges to their promotion drive tonight, away to third-placed Crystal Palace, who then play second-placed Middlesbrough Mohawks tomorrow. Palace's task is to win enough games to open up the promotion race.