Potter eyes double delight

NEW Jersey is a long way from Liverpool and an even longer way from Athens, and while Darren Potter’s thoughts are focused mainly on tomorrow night’s game in Giants Stadium, it’s entirely understandable that the Anfield graduate wouldn’t mind catching his old club in action against AC Milan by way of a warm up.

“I’m hoping to be able to see it, but I don’t know if I will,” he said yesterday, in the tentative manner of a newcomer to the senior Irish ranks. Well, the good news for the Liverpool-born midfielder is that another Anfield old boy — a much older boy, in fact — will be providing the perfect example.

“I’ll definitely be watching,” said Steve Staunton of the Champions’ League final. And what of young Mr Potter?

“It depends on whether he wants to watch TV or go to sleep. Once they’re resting in their rooms, it’s up to them,” said Staunton with a smile.

The leaving of Liverpool was a wrench for the 22-year-old Potter but a season in which he has been part of Wolves ultimately unsuccessful drive for the Premiership, played at ‘B’ level for his country and is now on the brink of a senior debut in the green shirt, has more than made amends.

“It’s definitely been a good season all ‘round for me and the club, even if it did finish on a disappointing note (with the play off defeat by West Brom). It’s the longest season I’ve played but it’s fantastic to be out here now. The training facilities are top quality and it’s going really well.

“I think there’s nine new faces in the squad and I’m one of them. So this is a big opportunity for all of us to show what we can do.”

If it comes off, it would be a nice double: Liverpool to win the Champions’ League followed by his first senior cap. For Darren Potter, tomorrow could be a red-letter day in more ways than one.