Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor explains Tom White's absence against Halifax Town with midfielder's loan from Blackburn Rovers set to expire ahead of Torquay United trip

The 23-year-old midfielder made five consecutive appearances for Hartlepool United in February but was an unused substitute in Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw at Halifax Town.

And with his 28 day loan at Victoria Park set to expire on Friday, Pools will need to act quickly if they want him available for the top of the table clash at Plainmoor this weekend (3pm kick-off).

Dave Challinor is expecting White to stay on loan at Pools until the end of the season, but an extension is yet to be ratified.

“Tom’s loan is due to expire before Saturday but we’ll have quick chat about that,” Challinor told The Mail.

“The hope is we’ll be able to do something with that and we’ll speak with him about that this week and get something sorted.”

Explaining White’s absence for the midweek match at The Shay, Challinor added: “Tom coming out was down to Feaths [Nicky Featherstone] coming back and how important he is for us but that’s not to say I wouldn’t play Tom and Feaths together.

"Tom played Saturday, Tuesday last week and was in a right state in the build up to Saturday’s game [against Barnet]. We were lucky to get him through that so we’ve got to manage him.

"He hasn’t played a lot of football in the past four months before coming here so for him to play 75, 75 then 90 is a big ask for him in the space of a week. He’s one we’ll keep an eye on.”

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