SKIPPER Tommy Elphick believes the mix of boss Eddie Howe's attention to detail and Cherries' fine form can curtail the free scoring exploits of Leeds hitman Ross McCormack tomorrow.

United's 27-year-old striker has bagged 25 league goals, exactly half of the Yorkshire outfit's total in the Championship so far this season, including the first in Cherries' 2-1 defeat at Elland Road in October.

However, on the back of a magical March which has seen Cherries concede just once in six second-tier outings, Elphick reckons Howe's thorough preparations will leave the team well placed to continue that run.

Discussing McCormack's goalscoring record, Elphick, ever present throughout Cherries' frugal month, told the Daily Echo: “It's an unbelievable feat and he is a player who is well established at this level.

“Every transfer window that comes round, he's the first one linked with moves to the Premier League or bigger clubs so it will be a tough task, not only (because of) him but the different threats they have from (Matt) Smith and others in their team.

“It will be a tough night but as a defence we are feeling confident at the moment after keeping clean sheets and playing in front of home fans will, hopefully, spur us on to keep another one.

“The manager leaves no stone unturned. He will show us a lot of clips and he (McCormack) is someone I have seen play a lot of times.

"I've not played against him but have seen him live so there won't be much we don't know about him. We should be primed to keep another clean sheet.”