Bobby Zamora has been advised by his long-time friend Kemal Izzet to stay with Albion.

The Colchester midfielder is convinced Zamora is destined to play in the Premiership one day.

But he is worried his chum will run the risk of being pilloried like former Seagull Ade Akinbiyi if he leaves too soon.

Albion boss Peter Taylor bought Akinbiyi from Wolves for £5 million when he was in charge at Leicester.

Akinbiyi, who had a loan stint with the Seagulls under Liam Brady, was slated for not scoring goals in the Premiership and he is now back in the First Division with Crystal Palace.

Izzet and Zamora go back a long way. They played for East London Sunday junior side Senrab in the same team as Chelsea's John Terry, Tottenham's Ledley King and Aston Villa's J. Lloyd Samuel.

Izzet, who plays against Albion at Layer Road on Saturday, revealed: "I am good mates with Bobby. We still keep in touch and occasionally have a drink with each other. He is always nice to speak to.

"He played up front back then and I was in the centre of midfield. He was only a bit taller than me as a youngster, but he has grown up for the better since then.

"He was a very shy lad, but now that has all changed and he has come out of his shell. I suppose confidence off the pitch comes with the way he is playing on it.

"I was surprised by his progress to start with. He moved from Bristol Rovers to Brighton, then all of a sudden he was scoring loads of goals.

"I heard then that he'd grown and improved. He was always a really good finisher when he was younger and quick and now he is doing really well.

"I cannot see why he won't keep progressing. I think he is good enough to play in the Premiership, but if I was in his situation I don't think I would go just yet.

"A lot of players get slated if things don't work out and that would be really horrible for someone of his age.

"He could just progress through the Leagues. If Brighton go up then I don't see why he cannot stay and play for them for another season to prove himself in the First Division."

Izzet is relieved Zamora will be missing from the Albion line-up at Colchester after dislocating his shoulder against Notts County last Saturday.

"That is unfortunate for Brighton but good news for us," admitted the diminutive former Charlton apprentice.

"They will miss him because he is a handful, but if the others can do a job I don't see why they won't go straight up."

Izzet junior has reason to thank Taylor for giving his career a helping hand. His older brother Muzzy was Taylor's captain at Leicester and the Albion boss recommended the "very skilful and slight" 21-year-old to Gillingham, Colchester and Southend.

"When I was looking for a club my brother was helping me out and he asked Peter Taylor if he would help," Kemal explained. "Of course I am grateful for what ever help he gave."

That gratitude will not extend to Colchester coasting through a contest vital to Albion's automatic promotion hopes.

They are in mid-table and cannot go up or down but the Essex club are eager to avenge a 1-0 defeat at Withdean in October, when Zamora scored the only goal.

"We were unfortunate at Brighton," said Izzet. "In the first half we played really well and created some good chances, but the keeper was in fine form and Bobby scored.

"We deserved at least a draw. I was a bit disappointed by Brighton's performance, but they are obviously a good team otherwise they wouldn't be where they are.

"We know it's going to be a tough game, but it's all about pride. They beat us so we want to get one over them. There should be a good atmosphere and we will be going out to play for ourselves, our fans and everybody who has anything to do with Colchester United."

Former Albion centre half Ross Johnson, who marked Zamora at Withdean, is unlikely to feature.

The Brighton-born stopper has been plagued by injuries since leaving the Seagulls for Layer Road two seasons ago.

He has made only 13 League appearances this season and travelled in an 18-man squad without figuring in last Saturday's goalless draw at Wycombe.

If Albion need any extra motivation for Saturday's all-ticket clash then Taylor need only pin remarks made by Colchester chief Steve Whitton on the dressing room wall.

When The Argus quizzed Second Division managers about Albion's promotion prospects at the turn of the year Whitton predicted they wouldn't finish in the top six.

"We totally outplayed Brighton on their own ground and if they didn't have Zamora they would be struggling," he said.

Now the Seagulls have the chance to prove Whitton wrong.

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