Adam Balding has extended his loan spell with Leeds Carnegie until the end of the season.

Balding is out of contract with Gloucester at the end of the season and it appears he's now brought an end to a four season spell at Kingsholm.

The forward admits he's sad to say goodbye to Gloucester but is now determined to help rock-bottom Leeds climb up the Guinness Premiership table.

He said: "It is nice to know what I am doing now for the rest of the season so I can concentrate on what I am doing. I am very happy here at Leeds Carnegie and please to be given the opportunity to stay.

"I want to get stuck in now and do everything I can on and off the field to get the results we need before the end of the season. I have been impressed with the set up here at Leeds and you can see where the club wants to go in the future which is really encouraging as a player."

However Balding, who moved to Headingley on loan from Gloucester back in December, will be unable to play against his parent club when the two teams meet on the 19th April at Kingsholm under the terms of the arrangement.

He said: "It is disappointing that I will not be able to play in the game at Kingsholm but obviously Gloucester are looking after their own interests, which you can understand.

"Ideally, no player wants to leave a club mid season because you don't get a chance to say goodbye the fans. The fans down at Gloucester have always been fantastic for me and the team and they gave me some tremendous support down the years.

"It is too early to talk about next season yet but I have really enjoyed my time at Leeds so far and I can see no reason, as long as all parties are happy, why I could not extend my stay beyond the end of the season."

Balding will be part of the Leeds team who travel to another of his former clubs, Leicester, this Saturday looking for a first ever win at Welford Road.

Three weeks ago he was recalled by Gloucester for a one off game, also against the Tigers.

Balding added: "It will be a bit strange on Saturday, I am sure some of the Leicester lads will be a bit surprised to see me again!

"The game for Gloucester was one hell of an encounter and I know exactly what to expect this Saturday especially in the forwards. No game in the Guinness Premiership is easy, least of all going to Leicester, but we need wins and that is what we will be going there looking to get.

"We have got quite a few players coming back from injury and they are fresh physically and mentally so that will definitely give us a lift for Saturday."

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