POTTER PROUD OF HIS BATTLER GRIMES

GRAHAM Potter has spoken of his pride at Matt Grimes’ development this season, claiming the midfielder has “grown and grown”.

The 23-year-old struggled to break into the first-team picture after arriving at the Liberty Stadium from Exeter in January 2015.

He spent loan spells at Blackburn, Leeds and Northampton, but has now become a regular fixture in the Swans’ starting line-up under Potter.

The Swansea boss told a press conference to preview the game at Norwich: “I think he has been fantastic on and off the pitch.

“From early pre-season he showed the type of character he is. He stepped in at left-back, he just wanted to help and he wanted to be involved.

“He didn’t get too down or disappointed when he didn’t originally play. He was prepared to wait for his opportunity.

“He has grown and grown as the season has gone on. He is a footballer who every day does his very best, he is a model professional.

“His character is impressive, to have the setbacks he has had and to fight to have the opportunity to play is exactly how he is.

“He doesn’t get too excited, he doesn’t take things for granted. He is level-headed and he can improve further and he is bound to improve because of those personal attributes he has.

“I am really proud of what he has done, and how he is as a person.”