Blackburn Rovers and Hartlepool United midfielder Tom White welcomes midfield battle

The midfielder, signed on loan from Blackburn Rovers, is competing with the likes of Nicky Featherstone, Gavan Holohan and Mark Shelton for a place in the engine room of Dave Challinor's Pools side.

White is determined to make the most of his loan spell and play as much football as he can, with Pools hosting Yeovil Town at The Vic on Saturday afternoon.

White told the Mail: “I’m familiar with a lot of the squad to be fair.

"I’ve played with Ben Killip at England C and he’s a very good goalkeeper.

"I’ve played against a lot of the squad too.

"I’ve played against Feaths who for me is probably one of the best footballers in the league.

"Shelts as well and Gav I was really impressed with when I last played at The Vic so looking at that we’ve got a really good team and it’s no surprise they’ve made such a good start to the season so it’s just about keeping that going now.”

He added: "I welcome the challenge of getting into that midfield, it’s healthy competition and there are plenty of games where we play, Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday and there will be times the manager has to rotate the squad so everyone will be needed.

"In this league when the pitches are heavy, there will be a lot of rotation but I’m highly motivated and I want to play as much football as I can.”

On Thursday evening, the club’s promotion hopes were boosted after it was confirmed the National League campaign will continue.

Clubs have been voting over recent weeks, with a majority of clubs in the fifth tier voting to carry on.

The National League North and South will, however, stop and their seasons be declared null and void.

There won’t be any promotion or relegation to those divisions but there will be promotion from the National League into the EFL, with one automatic place and the play-off winners up for grabs.

Hartlepool United are fifth in the table and have won their last six home games.

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