Potter one of the best managers, says assistant Reid

Potter will be absent for Brighton’s clash with Leicester on Sunday.

Graham Potter will miss Brighton’s Premier League clash with Leicester on Sunday but hails as one of the best managers in the business by assistant Billy Reid.

Reid will take charge of the Seagulls at the King Power Stadium after Potter returned a positive test for coronavirus on Friday.

Potter’s absence could be a blow for Brighton, who has attracted plenty of plaudits for their performances under the 46-year-old over the past couple of years.

The manager’s stock has risen considerably, and Albion heads into the weekend ninth in the Premier League table following just four defeats this campaign.

Reid, who has worked under Potter for nine years at Ostersunds, Swansea and Brighton, said: “I knew that he was a real thinker of football with the first impression. When I went to Sweden, I quickly realised that this guy was well above this level.

“His man-management of players is fantastic, and I feel Graham is a top, top manager, in my opinion.

“The way he sets his team out and the way they play and the way he works is just fantastic.

“It has been a real privilege to work with him and a natural learning curve for me.

“He involves all the coaching staff and me in everything, so you feel part of it.”

Brighton is on course for their highest Premier League finish and is just a handful of points off challenging European places.

“When we came here, it was always to improve year by year, and I think there are signs of that,” said Reid.

“I’m not going to sit here and say where we are going to finish this season, but we are certainly in a good place at the moment, and performance-wise, if we can carry that on, then we will win games.”

Reid hopes to have captain Lewis Dunk back in contention. The centre-half has been out with a knee injury but could be in the squad if he comes through training on Saturday.

Shane Duffy (ankle) and Adam Lallana (hamstring) remain unavailable, while Yves Bissouma remains at the Africa Cup of Nations.