Cherries are set to run the rule over Winchester City’s former Southampton striker Jamie White.

The prolific marksman, who spearheaded City’s march to the Wessex League title, will link up with Cherries in pre-season.

White, who made three first-team appearances for Saints, trained with Cherries during former boss Lee Bradbury’s reign.

The 22-year-old is expected to line up for Cherries in a pre-season friendly against Winchester City at the Denplan City Ground on July 28.

City owner Paul McCarthy has always pledged to help White get a foothold back into the professional ranks after his career was blighted by an horrific spate of injuries.

Although White’s contract with Winchester has expired, McCarthy confirmed: “He is going to sign a preliminary contract with me in the next couple of days so that we get something back for him. He will play against us for Bournemouth in a friendly at our place on July 28.”

White, who hails from Harefield near Southampton, was tipped for great things at St Mary’s before he was struck down by a series of injuries.

He was crowned as Saints’ academy player of the year in 2007 but had to accept the award on crutches after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in training with the first team.

Following his recovery and after a strong pre-season in 2008, he made his first-team debut against Derby and had a spell on loan at Shrewsbury Town. But on his return to St Mary’s, he fractured a fibula and dislocated an ankle playing for the reserves against Aldershot.

White was sent on loan to Conference South outfit Eastleigh before he was released by Saints when his contract expired in 2010.

Then, cruelly, he was dealt another blow when he snapped the cruciate in his right knee while on trial at Stockport.

White eventually dropped into non-league with Wessex Premier outfit Totton & Eling before starring as Winchester City, who were once managed by current Cherries caretaker assistant boss Shaun Brooks, clinched promotion this season.

Speaking to the Daily Echo in January, Christchurch manager Graham Kemp urged Bradbury to sign White after the striker had scored twice against Priory in the Hampshire Cup.

Kemp said: “If I were the manager of a League One club, I would certainly sign him. He looks a tremendous prospect.”

A Cherries spokesman confirmed White would be joining the club for pre-season.