Jordan Greenidge is to stay at Tonbridge for the rest of the season in a major boost to their play-off bid.

Greenidge has scored 11 goals in 12 appearances since joining on loan from fellow National South club Hemel Hempstead last November.

The big striker, who missed Saturday’s 2-1 comeback win over Worthing with a tight hamstring, had been due to return to his parent club this week, and there was also interest elsewhere.

But Greenidge made it clear he wanted to stay at Tonbridge - who are just four points off the play-offs - and the loan has been extended for the rest of the campaign.

“Hemel were keen on having him back," said Angels boss Jay Saunders.

“I spoke to Brad Quinton (new boss) and he said, ‘To be honest, Jay, I want to speak to the lad and see how he’s feeling'.

"He wasn’t the one who signed him and he said he had to be interested because of the goals he’s been scoring.

"There were quite a few other clubs sniffing around as well but Jordan wanted to stay.

"He’s enjoyed it here and he made it clear to me he didn’t want to go back to Hemel or go out anywhere else on loan.

"He’s sort of helped make Hemel’s minds up really and they’ve been really good in making it happen.”

Greenidge had been out of favour at Hemel but Saunders, who’d been looking for a goalscorer, fancied taking a punt.

The move couldn't have worked out any better.

“With every loan signing, you’re taking a little bit of a gamble because you never know how someone’s going to fit in,” said Saunders.

“With Jordan, Hemel circulated his name for loan and I don’t think many went in for him.

"Personally, I’d seen something in him last year at Margate when he played against us for Dartford in the Kent Sent Senior. I felt he was different to what we had.

“He’s come in and scored goals and fitted in well and he’s enjoyed it here.”

Greenidge, who’s just turned 23, was left out against Worthing as a precaution but should be fit for Saturday’s trip to Dulwich Hamlet.

The loan extension makes things very interesting as Tonbridge fight for a play-off place and saves Saunders from trying to find a like-for-like replacement.

“He’s that proper No.9 and they’re hard to come by,” said the Angels boss. “It’s not a surprise he had other interest.

“He’s a young lad and he’s still learning but he’s good for us and it's given everyone a lift to find out he’s staying.

“We let all the boys know it was looking likely and the were buzzing. They’re all really happy.

“It’s good for the club and it’s nice for me, Tom Parkinson and Lloyd Blackman as a management team to know we’re doing the right things with him, that he wanted to stay.”