Bolton Wanderers manager Ian Evatt backs Tom White to 'come back stronger' at Hartlepool United

The 23-year-old midfielder endured a frustrating spell at Bolton during the first half of the 2020-21 season before being recalled by his parent club Blackburn Rovers and subsequently loaned out to Pools.

White was restricted to just nine League Two appearances for the Trotters and struggled to make an impact following a knee injury picked up midway through his spell at the University of Bolton Stadium.

Evatt, who managed White during the National League title winning season at Barrow, has discussed why things didn’t work out for the midfielder at Bolton.

“I think the world of Tom and he had an excellent season with me at Barrow,” he told Manchester Evening News.

“He came and started pre-season really well and maybe sometimes when the club and the team is under-performing and the strange season it has been with no fans, Tom has suffered with that and lost form and confidence.

"He is still a really young lad and he lost his way a little bit, couldn’t get it back.Sometimes it happens in football and you learn lessons."

White insists he has no regrets over the move to Bolton as it proved to be a good learning experience for him in the Football League.

And his former manager believes he has what it takes to make his next loan move a success.

“Not every move is a success, you are not going to get every bit of recruitment right and that didn’t work but Tom is an exceptionally talented player and I am sure he will come again and be stronger,” Evatt continued.

"For us it didn’t work out and we felt he was better moving on and getting regular football elsewhere. He wanted that himself, credit to him.

“We spoke to Blackburn and came up with a plan to recall him. He will go out elsewhere now and get some form back.”

White signed for Pools on an initial one month loan deal and is in line to make his debut in Tuesday night’s National League match against Solihull Moors (6pm kick-off).

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