BRIGHTON boss Graham Potter has backed former Newport County AFC defender Ben White to keep his feet firmly on the ground despite talk of a £50million January move to Premier League champions Liverpool.
The 23-year-old, who has also lined up in a defensive midfielder role for the Seagulls this season, was the subject of three increasingly lucrative rejected bids from promoted Leeds during the summer transfer window following a hugely successful loan spell at Elland Road.
White, who spent a hugely successful season on loan with the Exiles in 2017/18, signed a four-year contract at the AMEX Stadium in September.
That has done little to quell the speculation that he could leave the south coast club with Anfield touted as a possible destination in the wake of Virgil van Dijk's serious knee injury, although his manager is confident he will not lose his focus.
Potter, who will bring his side to Rodney Parade in round three of the FA Cup, said: "I have no worries about Ben getting his head turned.
"He is a level-headed guy who wants to play football and of course he wants to do it at the highest level, just like you want all those players to have those ambitions.
"He gets on with his work and he was totally professional in the summer despite the noise from outside the club, which you can't control.
"He knows that, he's a smart guy and we will carry on with our work and help him to enjoy his football, which is the most important thing."
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