Hatters boss pays tribute to 'stalwarts' Potts and Mpanzu ahead of milestones

Luton boss Nathan Jones paid tribute to long-serving duo Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu and Dan Potts as they are both expected reach a major milestone in their Hatters careers tomorrow.

Mpanzu, 26, who joined the club on loan initially from West Ham United in December 2013, signed permanently by former manager John Still a month later, is due to become only the 38th player to make 250 appearances for Luton when if as expected, he features against QPR.

Potts, 25, who also arrived from then Upton Park under Still, joining in May 2015, is in line to make it to 150 games, as Jones said: “They’re stalwarts really.

"Potts has done fantastically well, he was probably one of the standout players in League Two.

"He’s matured and he’s a Championship full back now.

"He started off with a good pedigree in the U21s at West Ham, but he’s really found a home here and done fantastically well.

"Pelly’s a revelation in lots of ways.

"When we came here, he picked up a lot of injuries, but I think he’s missed two days training in four years.

"That’s phenomenal, considering the shifts he puts in and the way we ask him to play, what he has to do.

"Don’t under underestimate the influence that Pelly-Ruddock has on the squad either, because he’s constantly upbeat, which is difficult to do.

"That’s a wonderful thing to have in your squad.

“It’s brilliant that they could reach 250 and 150 respectively.

"We’re delighted for them and we’re very fortunate to have them.

"They were brought here by previous managers so that’s good recruitment and we’ve continued that on.

"They’re wonderful players and they’re a pleasure to work with, day in, day out.

"That’s the best thing for a manager. Not that they do their job, but they’re also very pleasant to work with.”

Potts, who had struggled at times this term, is now reaching something like his best form since Jones came back to the club, particularly in the 1-0 win at Swansea recently, and has only missed one minute since the season resumed, that when coming off late on in Wales.

His durability has also impressed Jones, who continued: “We give him a little bit of stick because he got a few injuries, head injuries, and we give him a bit of banter about being tougher, but he’s turned into a real good Championship footballer.

"That’s what we wanted.

"For everyone we recruit and develop here, that’s the goal, to better them, get established and then allow them to kick on."

Potts has now made 33 appearances this season too, already six more than last term when an injury against Walsall in October saw James Justin take over at left back.

The Hatters graduate produced a string of stunning displays to keep Potts out of the team, eventually earning a move to Premier League Leicester City in the summer too.

When asked whether Jones felt Potts was unlucky to have had to wait on the sidelines due to Justin's emergence, he added: "We have competition here, we always knew we wanted two in every position.

"We had JJ and Stephen O’Donnell as well, so we always had decent full backs here.

“JJ could play anywhere on the football pitch, so Jack (Stacey), JJ, Dan and Jack Senior were the four we had.

“I think he’s been very fortunate that he’s had that competition.

"He’s been at a good club that developed him, demands from him, that every day he learns.

"He doesn’t just come in a play five-a-side, he gets taught and educated, so I think he’s been very lucky, I don’t think he’s been unlucky in any way.

“Yeah, he picks up injuries, but he’s played a number of Championship games this year, he’s played 150 league games for Luton, he’s had two promotions, so I wouldn’t class that as unlucky.

“I think he’s been very blessed to come to a good club and he’s got a long way to go.”