Ex-Sunderland winger comes up against former club for Hartlepool United

Thomas has been in breathtaking form for Pools, including an individual stunner to seal the 2-0 victory at Leyton Orient.

He was an inspired signing from Mansfield Town by Ronnie Moore for an undisclosed fee when the transfer window opened at the turn of the year and he has been a key man for his successor in the hotseat.

And Hignett says just because the forward is coming up against his former club he will not be having any words in his ear.

“You always want to do well against a former club but Nath has so many we’ll come up against one every week!” laughed Hignett about the ex-Sunderland, Motherwell, Plymouth and Stags winger.

“He’s in a really nice place at the moment, he’s playing well and enjoying his football.

“He’s been great for us –he was outstanding again at Leyton Orient, a real threat.

“I won’t ask him to do anything different against Mansfield.

“My message to him will be to ‘keep doing what you’ve been doing’.

“He scored a great goal, he’s got that in him and I’ve told him that any time he’s got a one v one is get at them.

“We switched him to the right at the start of the second half at Orient because I wanted him coming in at goal.

“Thankfully it had an effect, as it had at Barnet where we did that.

“He cut in there and scored a great goal.

“I’m pleased for him that goals are coming – he should be scoring double figures every season with the ability he’s got.”