The tie at the Memorial Ground offers the head coach an opportunity to make changes to the side that has taken to the field in the Premier League so far this term, and the boss praised the application of the group as a whole ahead of tonight’s contest.
He said, “I have some decisions to make, but we have a lot of guys who have been training really well and are desperate to play.
“For them it’s an opportunity to play, I’ll have some final thoughts on Monday, but it’s important for us at this stage of our development to give chances to as many players as we can.
“I think in a way we all need that, we have a lot of players who feel they deserve to play – to have that chance is important and we can assess and learn from what we see.”
The League One side sit in 12th position having played five league matches so far this season, and Potter spoke about the challenge that lies ahead this evening.
“It’s an important game and a chance to learn about one another again, it’s a match we want to win and it’s one we’re looking forward to,” he continued.
“We’ll have to be on our game, these competitions bring upsets and they’re a strong outfit.
“They do what they do very effectively, they’ll create a good atmosphere at their ground and that can only be a good thing for the players.
“Every team poses their own threats, I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen from them – we know it will be a good challenge.”
Summer signing Adam Webster could make his debut for the club tonight having made the switch from Bristol City in the transfer window, and the head coach praised the way in which the central defender has conducted himself since making the move to the south coast.
“He’s someone who’s trained really well – he came in during the last week of the window and by then we had a back three which was established.
“He’s had to be patient, but he’s been perfect in how he’s worked and he’s a top professional who’s settled in really well.
“He doesn’t have to prove anything, we know his qualities and he’s one of many who’ll value and appreciate the game time tonight.”