WHEN Dale Stephens says keeping Ross McCormack quiet will give Albion a good chance of beating Leeds tonight he is speaking from painful experience.

The Seagulls’ new midfielder has already tasted first hand the finishing prowess of the top scorer in the Championship.

Four of McCormack’s 22 league goals this season came in one game, when Stephens was in the opposition for former club Charlton at The Valley in November.

The memory of that 4-2 defeat is still fresh in the mind of the 24-year-old Lancastrian ahead of his third outing for Albion against the Yorkshire giants this evening.

Stephens said: “I remember McCormack putting four past us. Obviously on a personal note I’ll be looking to put that right. He is their focal point, their main man, and I am sure if we keep him quiet we’ll have a good chance of winning the game.

“It’s a massive game. They are another contender for the play-off spots, like ourselves. They are a good side. We’ve got to make the most of these home games coming up, starting tonight.

“If we make the most of these next two home games it will leave us in a great position.”