Potter praises "role model" Routledge

Graham Potter has hailed "role model" Wayne Routledge after the Swansea City winger racked up his 250th appearance for the club.

Marking off his 250th appearance against West Brom at the Hawthorns, Routledge has experienced the highs and lows at Swansea City since joining from Newcastle in 2011.

He experienced the highs of League Cup glory at Wembley and European adventure, as well as the heartache of relegation.

The experienced wide man did not have an easy start to this season, having to bide his time for his first-team chance, but Potter regularly praised the professional attitude of the 34-year-old during that time.

With game time limited, Routledge’s hard work and persistence on the training pitch paid off as he forced himself back into the first team along with close friend and fellow Swans veteran Nathan Dyer, and both have been regular starters in recent months.

And Potter says the winger’s attitude is an example for others to follow after reaching his impressive milestone.

“His contribution whilst I’ve been here has been nothing but 100% professional,” Potter said.

“He’s conducted himself in a top way, he’s been a role model I think in how he’s dealt with a difficult situation at the start of the season when he wasn’t playing.

“The situation he found himself in, he did his best in training, worked hard every day, he was a role-model professional.

“Then he gets in the team and is a contributor on the pitch, he trains at the highest level he can, and you can see why he’s had such a career in the game, and his contribution to what he’s done here I think has been great.”

Routledge has been a mainstay in South Wales, featuring regularly under a number of managers, with only Dyer having more Swans appearances in the current squad.

And Potter knows just how valuable that knowledge of the game can be for players still learning their trade.

“He’s been part of the rise going forward, I think he has a real feeling for the club,” Potter continued.

“He understands and cares for the club, and I think he enjoys his time in Swansea and he’s proud to play for Swansea City.

“I think he’s just a role model as a person and a footballer, how he is amongst the players, they’re important to have, certainly when you’re looking to develop younger guys.

“It’s important to have good people around them that have been there, have done it and know how to contribute as well.

“I think he’s been through some good times with the club and has been part of the suffering as well, and I think he wants to help get the club back to being in a good place and where everybody wants to be.

“I know he cares for the place, he cares for the players, he cares for the other guys in the team, he’s just a good person.”