Brighton veteran Steve Sidwell says they must do what they can to keep Dale Stephens.

The midfielder's contract runs out at the end of the season, and he was linked with a move to Burnley last summer.

“Dale is a fantastic player for the football club. He ticks along, links play up from defence to attack," Brighton's Sidwell told <>The Argus.

"If it was me, I'd be pulling up trees to keep him. It's not just the players saying it, it's the fans as well.

“Everybody can see how important he is to the football club. Hopefully his performances will get us to the Premier League and hopefully he will stay.

“I don't know what he thinks but it seems he enjoys it here. He likes the training ground and he is close to the boys here. From what I see day to day, he enjoys it so long may that continue."