Potts desperate to become first name on Luton teamsheet

Defender Dan Potts is determined to become one of the first names on the Hatters team sheet after his surprise recall to the side on Saturday.

With regular full back Jake Howells injured for the clash at Leyton Orient, Potts was drafted in for only his fifth league start of the season, first since October 24, and first under new boss Nathan Jones.

The 21-year-old was delighted to be back in the side, but hopes that in future, he wins a place on merit alone, saying: “Sometimes you need those breaks. He (Howells) was doing well, credit to him, but as all players tell you, you’ve got to be ready as soon as your chance comes.

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“Fortunately I got that and hopefully I can hold my position for next Saturday.

“From my point of view, I want to be playing every week, I don’t want to be resting on filling spots, filling gaps, I want to be the first name on the team sheet.

“So it’s crucial when I do get chances like that, I take them.

“I felt good in myself out there and hopefully now I can push on.”

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Potts had signed on a free transfer after being released by West Ham United in the summer, but has been blighted by injuries at times in his first year at Kenilworth Road.

He continued: “This season’s been stop start, stop start.

“I’ve had my injury problems throughout the year, some hamstring problems, but I’m getting over them.

“Now I need it to just run smoothly and hopefully look after myself and push on, on the pitch.

“The lads have been playing well recently, so its been hard to get into the team, now I’ve got a chance, hopefully I can keep it.”

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Despite not featuring for Jones until Saturday, Potts insisted he has always felt included, saying: “The manager has come in and he’s been different class to everyone.

“He’s very vocal, very one to one with every player on the training pitch, he likes to get involved, and been good to everyone.”

Skipper Scott Cuthbert was quick to praise the young defender for slotting so smoothly into the back four at Orient and keeping a clean sheet.

He said: “Pottsy’s been out of the side and came in from nowhere and been different class, that doesn’t always happen.

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“That shows you the confidence he (Jones) has in individual players and he’s been a different class manager.”

Meanwhile, on his own display, Potts added: “On a personal note, it couldn’t have gone any better. Three points, clean sheet, that’s a great way, as a defender, as a whole team, to come into the team.

“I thought the whole team was brilliant throughout and helped me a lot as well.”