Charlton Athletic manager’s comments suggest Luton Town defender Potts set to sign deal
Nathan Jones has not denied that Charlton Athletic are looking to sign former Luton Town defender Dan Potts.
The 30-year-old is out of contract after leaving Luton Town at the start of the season.
Potts trained with the Addicks over the summer and also featured in their pre-season programme in the behind-closed-doors game against Crystal Palace and made a substitute appearance against Portsmouth.
Potts joined Luton from West Ham United in 2015 and won three promotions there as they rose from League Two to the Premier League.
“Look, we’ll have announcements on that in terms of things,” said Jones, speaking at his press conference previewing Saturday’s League One home game against Rotherham United, when asked about Potts. “I love to work with young players to develop them and making them better – giving them opportunities because they are like blank canvasses.
“I also like players who are really ready-made and have done really well at the level.
“And I love people that I have worked with that have done things for me. At one stage they were either young or a bit more established and not my signings, for example.
“Anyone we bring in has to either be considerably better than what we’ve got, different or just can implement quickly what we want to do. Dan and people I’ve worked with before are able to do that.
“We haven’t gone gung-ho with ex players but we have brought in real sensible ones, plauers I’ve worked with before. Lloyd Jones I worked with before. He is maturing now into a wonderful player. Luke Berry I have worked with…Allan Campbell, these are people who have won promotions – one for me and two for my previous club and previous environment.
“Dan is another one that fits into that. He has had a wonderful journey and played in the Premier League. He has played in play-off finals, scored penalties in a winning final and has done fantastically well for me.
“He has been around and we’ve had a look at him. There will be a decision on him very soon.
“Provided they can still contribute then they work as catalysts in the environment. They help others as well. I wouldn’t bring Dan Potts in if he wasn’t a real example in terms of how goes about his work – how he trains, how he does stuff and is a leader in the changing room and so on. The same with Luke Berry and Allan Campbell – how they train and act – they enhance our environment.
“The group is in a good place, we know we can’t compete with certain things at this level so we want to do some things that makes sure the club continues to move forward.”
PICTURE: PA