Dicko Absence Opens Door For Potter

Carl Dickinson was forced off the pitch through injury last Saturday at Oakwell when the Reds played out a 0-0 draw with Championship strugglers Crystal Palace.

The 22 year old will miss this afternoon's game at Ipswich Town after returning to parent club Stoke City for an exploratory operation and Reds manager Mark Robins fears the loanee will be out for the rest of the season:

'It doesn't look good for the rest of this season so really I think we're saying goodbye to him for the rest of this season', Robins told the club's official website.

But it's not all doom and gloom over the full-back situation, as Reds academy graduate Luke Potter stepped in to replace Dickinson on Saturday from the bench and played a full 90 minutes in the victory over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday night.

With the Stoke loanee likely not to play again this term, it has opened the door for the youngster Potter to stake a claim for a regular starting place in the Reds' line-up.

When questioned whether he would look at bringing someone in to replace Dickinson, Robins praised Potter's performances and maintained that while there is no cover for Potter, he would prefer to give his own players a chance to step up:

'Luke's been very very good an deserves to keep his place anyway. He's come in and he's done exceptionally well.'

Potter looks set to start against Ipswich Town at Portman Road this afternoon where the Reds look to pick up their first victory in over 10 years.

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