STURDY defender Kieran Parselle says his six-month loan spell at Salisbury has made him “stronger” and “better”.

The 20-year-old joined the Whites at the start of the season on-loan from League Two outfit Newport County.

He has become an integral part of Salisbury’s backline at centre-half, making 26 appearances in all competitions.

But after Saturday’s home clash with Yate Town, Parselle will be returning to his parent club in south Wales.

“I’ve enjoyed my time at Salisbury,” Parselle, pictured, told JournalSport.

“The season has been a bit up-and-down, but since the Bishops Cleeve game we’ve looked a completely different team.

“I think, since then, we’ve won six out of seven games and kept five clean sheets.

“I think if the boys keep going like that they will go up.

“They’re all good enough and the club and fans deserve it.”

“On a personal note, it’s all about game time, winning games and getting clean sheets.

“I feel the loan has made me a better player and the main thing is I’ve had a long run of games under my belt.”

“The coaching staff have been brilliant to me down here.

“I feel the gaffer [Steve Claridge] has made me a stronger and better player.

“Not to forget Jenks [assistant manager Micky Jenkins] and Matty [coach Matt Holmes] and all the other coaching staff who have been brilliant to me.”

“I think the thing I’ve enjoyed most is turning up on a Saturday and playing games.

“As a young footballer all you want to do is play football and win football matches.”

Parselle has picked out his loan spell highlights.

And he says the FA Trophy Preliminary Round clash back in October was his game of the season as Whites beat Hereford 4-3, which was watched by 1,225 fans at the Ray Mac.

He added: “The thing I enjoyed the most was the game against Hereford at home.

“I think the boys and the fans wanted to get one over on them and to be involved in that, and the atmosphere, it was a great feeling.”

Parselle, who lives in Bristol, is a Newport academy graduate and signed a professional contract in May 2015.

He trains with the The Exiles in the week and has caught the eye of manager Graham Westley. His side are at the foot of the table and are fighting to avoid relegation to the National League.

“After Saturday’s game, my full focus will be to go back to Newport, keep training hard and break into the starting 11,” Parselle continued.

“I feel I will be going back to Newport as more mature and stronger character than what I was at the start of the season.”

“I’ve also learnt a lot from Graham, who has been brilliant.”

Boss Claridge, who first introduced Parselle in Salisbury’s season-opener with Evesham United, hailed the defender.

“He’s enjoyed his time and has bought into it. You get some loan players who are just here to service their own needs and don’t really buy into it,” said Claridge, “but Kieran’s been different gravy, fantastic. Everything you’ve asked and more.

"He’s taken on board everything, been part of everything and been brilliant for us.”

Parselle’s departure leaves Claridge with just one central defender in Elliot Wheeler.

Callum Hart is on course to return next month after undergoing an operation on his left shoulder and Calum Brockway is set to have surgery on his right shoulder on February 4.

Meanwhile, Danny Young had an operation on his left shoulder on Tuesday.

Claridge added: “I don’t think any other team could have taken what we have taken.”