Potts set for double ton as Cohen says it could’ve been more but for injuries

Dan Potts could make his 200th appearance for Luton against Huddersfield with assistant boss Chris Cohen saying that only injuries have prevented the defender from racking up more appearances.

With 11 league outings under his belt already, Potts has surpassed the number of second-tier appearances he made in the entirety of the last campaign and will equal last term’s entire total when he becomes a double centurion. 

Having joined from West Ham United in 2015, Potts is Luton’s current second longest-serving player behind Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, who moved from the Hammers the year before and both helped the Hatters out of the Conference and have won two more promotions.

Potts was the first-choice left back in those days and that how he started Luton’s League One winning campaign until injury saw him replaced by James Justin. The homegrown hero went on to become one of the stand-out stars that season, leading to his club-record transfer to Premier League Leicester. 

In the Championship last season, Potts played second fiddle to left back Amari’i Bell, but the 28-year-old is enjoying something of a renaissance with Luton this season.

He has benefitted from the departure of Kal Naismith to Bristol City, to move into his preferred left centre-back role and has started every game in the Championship this season. 

Cohen said: “Pottsy has been so consistent, the thing that has stopped him from playing more over the last couple of years has been the injuries that he’s had, that he’s picked up.

“From speaking to him a lot, it’s his favourite position to play, so left of a back three would be where he would say his best position is, and he’s been wonderfully consistent this year in terms of performances he’s put in.

“He’s a threat in their box, he’s wonderful in our box, defending set-pieces, he’s an excellent defender and, the in-possession stuff, he’s been really good this year as well.

“So, he should be really confident going into every game which I’m sure he is as it’s probably been a while since he’s had a run of games like he’s having at the moment.

“Players need rhythm and unfortunately through no fault of his own, probably hasn’t been able to get there in the period of time I’ve been here in terms of the run of games and now he is and we’re the lucky ones who are benefitting from that.”

Potts has also deputised as captain in the absence of club skipper Sonny Bradley, who is available again for the visit of Huddersfield, having missed the previous two games through injury and the month before that through compassionate leave.

Cohen said: “Most definitely, Sonny is the captain and that hasn’t changed at all, but there has been the opportunity when Sonny hasn’t played for other people to step up.

“It is an honour to be a captain of any football club, even if its because Sonny’s injured, and the way he (Potts) conducts himself day to day, the professional that he is, that he has been throughout the injuries and throughout the playing time he’s had since I’ve been here, (he’s) a real valid choice.

“There’s probably six or seven (the could be captain). There are not many in the group that you wouldn’t give the captain’s armband to, they’re a wonderful group.

“I think you saw Carlton (Morris) interviewed after the (Hull) game, he talked about the strength in the group and they enjoy going on away trips together.

“They are a pleasure to work with, they do everything we ask of them, everything the manager asks of them, and they get along well doing it.

“So, hopefully, that environment bodes well for us getting positive results throughout the rest of the season.”