Worrall has made 11 Super League appearances for Rhinos this season, after switching from rugby union sister club Leeds Carnegie last year.

"I am out of contract at the end of the season and talks are going on at the moment," revealed Worrall, who was last week given dispensation by the RFL to qualify as a club-trained player, despite not coming up through Rhinos' junior system.

"Hopefully, it can all be sorted pretty soon, then I can just crack on from there.

"It is looking pretty optimistic. I am happy and I think the club are too.

"Bluey (coach Brian McClennan) says he'd like me to stay here next year, so hopefully I can stay and have another good season next year."

Options

The RFL decision is a major boost for Worrall, who was in danger of being classed as a non-federation player next season – equivalent to being on the overseas quota – alongside the likes of Scott Donald, Brent Webb and Danny Buderus.

New rules limit clubs to just eight players who haven't come up through their – or a rival Super League side's – Academy set-up.

"It just allows me more options in the future," said Worrall of his change in status.

"Obviously I am looking to stay at Leeds and I don't think being classed as quota or non-quota affects me staying here, because we're not packed full of overseas players really.

"But in future I think it just means it'd be easier to move to another club if that's what ends up happening."

Worrall added: "It is something my agent mentioned a couple of months ago and we've been speaking to the RFL.

"I approached them personally and they came back and said I was a non-federation player, so then we had to go through a legal route.

"I don't know exactly how far that had to go before they changed their mind, but now it seems I am a federation-trained player, which is good for me.

"If not, I'd be the same as Scott Donald or some of the overseas players.

"At some clubs in Super League that would restrict me, so it's good that it's all been sorted."

RFL operations director Emma Rosewarne said: "The RFL Board has the discretion to declare that a player qualifies as a club or federation-trained player even if the player does not technically satisfy the strict definition of the term, providing they satisfy the spirit of the definition.

"Following a request from Simon Worrall, the board is satisfied that having signed for Leeds Rugby – a dual code rugby club as a 16-year-old in 2000 – the player satisfies the spirit of the definition and will in future be classed as a club-trained player for Leeds Rhinos and should he move clubs a federation-trained player."

Castleford Tigers hooker Andy Henderson and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats second-row Kevin Henderson are both classed as non-federation trained players, despite having been born in England.

The brothers played their first rugby in Australia before moving to this country.

Prop Nick Scruton is set to join Bradford Bulls next season, after his Rhinos contract expires in the autumn. Leeds are hopeful of agreeing a deal with centre/second-row Carl Ablett, who was a member of last year's Grand Final-winning squad.

Reserve hooker Ben Kaye, who is out of contract at the end of the season, is wanted by Harlequins.

Ends