Casper Ankergren is hoping to bite the hand that once fed him when Leeds take on Brighton on Saturday.

United’s Danish keeper was signed at Elland Road by the partnership of Dennis Wise and Gus Poyet, who has recently taken over as manager at Brighton.

Ankergren promised no favours to his former mentor but said: “Gus is a great character.

“He’s a very special guy with a big heart. He’s always willing to help people. I have great respect for him.

“I was a bit surprised to see him join Brighton but the chairman must be willing to back him.

“They are building a new stadium and this season will be about survival and next season will see a new Brighton team.”

Poyet was a popular character at Leeds and many fans give him the credit for the early success under Dennis Wise, pointing out that things were never quite the same after the former Uruguay international left to join the coaching staff at Tottenham Hotspur.

The former Spurs and Chelsea midfielder accepted the job at the Brighton’s temporary Withdean Stadium after Steve Coppell turned it down.

He lifted the south-coast side out of the relegation zone with a win over Southampton and then boosted them again with an FA Cup victory against Wycombe.

Ankergren added: “They are a good side, better than their league position suggests. I watched them play Southampton and they won 3-1, which was a great result.

“It’s also a weird stadium down there. I’ve played there twice and know what to expect.

“It’s one of those places where you have to ignore the situation and put on a professional performance. It will be difficult.”