Southend United manager Steve Tilson is urging his fiery midfielder Alan McCormack to cut out the cautions in his game.

The tough tackling Irishman has been booked 11 times in just 20 games since signing for the Shrimpers from Preston North End in mid-November.

And Tilson is keen for McCormack to improve that wretched disciplinary record in a bid to avoid further suspensions.

"I don't want to take the fire out of Alan's game because that's what makes him the good player he is, but he shouldn't be getting booked as often as he is," said the Seasiders chief.

"Five or six of his bookings have been for challenges he's dived into when he didn't really have a chance of getting the ball.

"He has to learn when to go in for tackles and how to be a bit cuter about things when he's out there."

McCormack's bookings have also seen him pick up another two-match suspension and he will therefore miss this Saturday's clash with Leeds United and the trip to Hull City seven days later.

His absence will hit Blues hard and Tilson does not want a repeat.

"It's no good to anyone when he's suspended and has to watch on from the stands," he said.

"Eleven bookings in 20 games is a lot and we need him to improve that, but I don't want him to change too much because he has been terrific since he came in earlier on in the season."

McCormack's current ratio of yellow cards would see him being shown 25 yellow cards in a full Championship season of 46 matches.

Such a record would mean him missing at least six games through suspension and would rob Southend of one of their most influential players for large spells.

He will be replaced in the middle of the park by Mark Gower against Leeds and Tilson is sure he will be up for the job.

"When Alan was out injured a couple of weeks ago Mark went into a more central position and he did a really good job for us in there," said Tilson.

"I'm sure he will do it again and I have no worries about him going back in there.

"It allows us to put Richie Foran back on the left wing as well and with eight games to go it's all about the players giving everything they've got and I know they're going to do that."