CRAIG Dawson admits he leaves Wanderers with a heavy heart but is full of thanks for his three months at the Reebok.

The 22-year-old Lancastrian says he has loved every minute of his spell back home in the Red Rose county.

His last outing in a Whites shirt came in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Cardiff that set up Wanderers as favourites to land a play-off spot in the final match of the Championship season against Blackpool on Saturday.

Dawson will not be there for that one after returning to parent-club West Brom for their final three matches of the Premier League season.

But he will be willing on his former team-mates to extend their season into the promotion shake-up.

Dawson said: “It’s a little disappointing that I’m unable to see the season out with Bolton, but I knew the terms of my loan before I came here.

“I’ve loved my time at the club. When you’re playing regular football and winning games you can’t help but enjoy it.

“I’ve been made to feel extremely welcome by all the staff and players, and especially the fans.

“From my first game I feel like the fans really looked after me. They really got behind me and that was great to see.”

Dawson is appreciative of the chance given to him by Whites boss Dougie Freedman and the opportunity of regular football.

The England Under-21 centre-back believes he returns to the Hawthorns as a better player because of his time at the Reebok.

But his efforts have also boosted Wanderers after 16 appearances in which he has netted four goals and helped shore up a previously generous back line.

Since his debut against Burnley in February, Wanderers have kept five clean sheets and conceded 15 goals to send them up to sixth place with one game to play. Prior to his inclusion, the Whites sat 16th after 28 games having conceded 41 goals.

The weekend after his arrival they had 34 points – 13 adrift of then sixth-placed Middlesbrough.

It has certainly been a loan of mutual covenience that Dawson hopes will stand both parties in good stead going forward.

He added: “It’s been a great learning curve and I’m extremely grateful to the manager for bringing me in and giving me this opportunity.

“I feel like I have developed a lot here. Hopefully, I can take that back to West Brom and continue to become a better player.”