Tommy Elphick has hailed Albion team-mate Nicky Forster as a "legend" and "model pro".

Elphick is vying with the Seagulls' veteran skipper and 19-goal top scorer to be named player of the season by supporters.

The 20-year-old centre half is slight favourite after an outstanding debut season as a first team regular.

Now Elphick has revealed the influential role played by Forster in his rise to prominence.

"He is in the top three of the goalscoring charts with 19 goals but it doesn't stop there," Elphick said. "He has been a great leader throughout the season.

"He is always bragging about his 14 assists as well, so that's over 30 goals that he has played a key part in.

"Apart from in games, he brings a competitive edge to training. In my eyes he is a bit of a legend really, the model pro on and off the pitch.

"He brings the best out of me. He is always testing me every day. He is a delight to play with and against.

"We have a little bet with drinks on who scores and who keeps a clean sheet. He has definitely brought the best out of me this season. I am sure he has been a major part of how I have been playing."

Forster is not the only old head showered with praise by Elphick. Dad Gary, a former centre half with Stoke and several top non-League Sussex clubs, watches Albion regularly home and away.

"He tries to chop and change between watching me and my brother (Gary) but he is there most games," Elphick said.

"It is always nice to get another opinion. He has been massive for me this year - my whole family have.

"Mum bigs me up when I need it and dad brings you back down when you need bringing back down.

"Obviously, he played centre half as well and I think he knows what he is talking about.

He knows when to speak to me and when I need to be left alone."

Elphick has come through plenty of tests against free-scoring strikers this season.

He faces another one at Withdean on Saturday against Swansea's Jason Scotland, the leading marksman in League One, as the curtain comes down on seventh-placed Albion's campaign.

Trying to combat the title winners and such a prolific opponent is a good way for the season to end for Elphick. "Playing against Swansea brings an extra edge to it," he said. "We want to prove we can emulate them next season. It is a great test for us.

"Scotland is the top goalscorer. We kept a clean sheet down there, so I have got experience of playing against him. He is very strong and mobile for his size and I will have to be on top of my game. I want to go out on a high, not end the season sloppily."

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