GRAHAM POTTER will have Albion  stoked up for their Carabao Cup clash at Bristol Rovers tonight.

The Seagulls head coach broke off from preparations for the trip to the Memorial Ground to watch the final thrilling overs of Ben Stokes’ Headingley heroics as England kept the Ashes series alive with victory over Australia on Sunday.

Potter was enthralled like the rest of the nation as Stokes almost single-handedly carved out victory.

The Albion boss sensibly steered away from bestowing sporting greatness on anyone in his dressing room but he does believe he has players with the same attributes as the England all-rounder.

Potter said: “Like most people, you’re thinking we have lost this and, with the games at Rovers and at the weekend, we were prepping for that but then it was 20 runs to win and one wicket left so we put it on and it was just amazing.

“It was incredible viewing. That’s the drama and excitement of sport at its best.

“It was amazing to watch and congratulations to the England team.”

Asked if he had identified any Stokes-type characters in his squad, Potter said: “I don’t know Ben Stokes but he’s probably the most popular man in England at the moment.

“What he’s done over the summer is the most incredible contribution to a team game, especially when you consider what he did in the World Cup as well.

“It’s a little bit unfair to compare our players with someone who is going to go down as a legend in the sport but in terms of taking responsibility, doing their best and not giving up – I’ve seen that with our players.”

The never-say-die attitude also ties in with Potter’s philosophy and was demonstrated in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat to Southampton when Albion battled with ten men for an hour after the red card for Florin Andone before eventually losing at the Amex.

He said: “I haven’t compared it with Ben Stokes but as a general message, that is how we try to work.

“Until the final whistle blows you should always conduct yourself as if you want to keep going and do your best – and we’ve seen that in the three games so far.

“I see that everyday in training. There is a good spirit and mentality here and we want to carry that on and improve if we can.”

Potter expects to learn plenty about his squad and how they cope with the trip to a stadium he knows from his playing days.

He said: “I always remember it as quite a hostile place.

“The crowd are really good and get behind the home team. 

“It will be a proper game that’s for sure. 

“That’s what you want – a good test, against a good team.”  

Ex-Bristol City defender Adam Webster is poised to make his debut for Albion with others short on game time expected to feature.