Sale Sharks centre Lee Thomas is looking forward to return to Cardiff in the Heineken Cup on Saturday January 16.

Thomas and team-mate Nick Macleod both left Cardiff for Manchester, but the trip to Cardiff City Stadium is a fantastic prospect for Thomas who left the Welsh club in 2006.

"You always look forward more than most to certain fixtures and for myself and Nick Macleod, the Cardiff game is the one we both want to play in more than any other," Thomas told the Manchester Evening News.

"With both Nick and I being former Cardiff players, with us being from that part of the world and with having so many friends up there, it will be an extra-special game for us.

"It's a must-win game for both sides, probably more so for Cardiff as they have lost one more game than us, and it will be very difficult but we'll go there full of confidence on the back of successive wins against Harlequins.

"The pool is now in our hands and we know we are in a good position in the group so we are looking forward to the last two games, but no-one is going to get carried away.

"I think the last few weeks have shown that we are starting to click. Ever since the Leeds game towards the end of November things have started to gel and even on Sunday, despite the horrendous conditions at home to Harlequins in the snow, we played some good stuff.

"Back-to-back wins in the Heineken Cup don't come very often so we'll take them and as long as we believe in ourselves it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. As long as that belief is in the changing room then I believe we're a match for anyone. Things are starting to come together for us now. There's still a bit to work on in certain areas, but all the boys are getting more and more confident on the ball."

Thomas recently signed and extension on his contract which will see him stay at Edgeley Park until the summer of 2012.

"Having signed my contract I can now totally concentrate more on my rugby," Thomas added. "When your contract is up for renewal, it's always something that's at the back of your mind. You are thinking 'What will I be doing in a year's time. Where will I be?'

"So it's nice to get that out of the way. I'm settled in Manchester, I enjoy living in the area and it's a great place to be."