Graham Potter has revealed the tough decision Albion made to allow Ben White join Leeds.

The defender goes up against the club he helped to the Championship title when Leeds come to the Amex today.

Marcelo Bielsa’s great work to help develop White last season is not disputed.

He returned to the Amex a better, more experienced player and has adapted to the Premier League.

Where Albion surely take some credit is in allowing him to go to Elland Road in the first place.

It is easy to forget given his success last term that it was by no means a given that White would get regular game time for Leeds.

As it turned out the move was pitched just right – to extend and test the player without giving him too much to do to get in the side.

Potter had been with Albion for about six weeks when the loan was completed.

But he knew White well, having scouted him during his successful loan at Newport and a less productive stint with Peterborough.

The Albion boss has admitted there was some reluctance on his part to let White go.

Had he stayed, he may well have made a Prem breakthrough similar to Steven Alzate and Aaron Connolly.

But it appears all has turned out for the best.

Potter told The Argus: “I was a little bit reluctant if I am being honest because I felt he maybe could have played in our first team.

“At the same time it would be a big step to make that call at that point.

“I think when he has got such a great opportunity like Leeds, then it’s hard to really argue with it. No one can see the future.

“Privately we had those conversations because we liked him a lot.

“We had watched him and we were aware of him since he was at Newport.

“It is not a definite but, at the same time, he was in the squad and we felt that maybe in that first season he could have had some opportunities.

“Steven Alzate and Aaron Connolly played. You just never know.

“I think his attributes were there for the Premier League and he still needed to make some steps.

“I think in the end it was the right decision.

“It is a journey and it is a lot to do with Ben.”

Albion’s policy throughout that summer of 2019 was to seek loans at Championship level or equivalent for their brightest under-23s.

Jayson Molumby went to Millwall while Viktor Gyokeres and Leo Ostigard headed off to St Pauli.

Right up until the start of the season, it did not seem White would be a starter for Leeds.

But he got into the side for the opening day and stayed there.

Potter’s longer-term admiration of the player is well known.

He said: “When he was at Peterborough we were at Swansea and we liked him a lot.

“If we were still at Swansea we would have looked to loan him or maybe even sign him.

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“Then obviously we came in here and Ben was of the view that Leeds was an opportunity that it was really good for him.

“It’s hard to argue with that.

“It is a fantastic football club with an amazing coach so it’s a great experience for him to have, to go and play Championship football at the top and try and get promotion.”

Although lessons can be learnt when dealing with adversity, the real purpose of a loan spell is to play games.

To be out there facing different opponents.

Like Haydon Roberts tackling battle-hardened old pros in League One this term with Rochdale.

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That is what White did at Leeds and is doing now in the top flight.

Potter said: “Every time you play, you are learning in that environment and that’s why it was such a wonderful loan for him.

“He had a great time there and has a huge respect for the club.

“It was a fantastic experience for him.

“Players learn from playing against each other.

“What’s it like when I’m playing against Timo Werner or Sadio Mane?

“There’s certain things you can get away with in the Championship that in the Premier League you can’t.

“You have to adjust. You have to be a little it better with your movement. The Premier League can teach you a lot.

“He’s been a really good example of how to use a loan move as a way to develop.

“We’re delighted to have him here now.”