CARL ROBINSON insists Stephen Elliott will soon follow Marcus Stewart's lead and fire his first hat-trick since moving to Sunderland last summer.

Elliott has made a big impression at the Stadium of Light this season after his transfer from Manchester City, and his 13 goals have made him the club's top-scorer.

But, despite banging in the goals that have fired Sunderland up the Championship table and earned him international recognition, the prolific front-man has been unable to hit three in one game.

Marcus Stewart grabbed his second hat-trick of the season in the 4-2 win over Watford on Saturday, while Chris Brown ensured Elliott's name was kept from the scoresheet.

Nevertheless manager Mick McCarthy has already compared Elliott to the Republic of Ireland's all-time leading scorer Robbie Keane and the Sunderland striker is building a growing reputation for himself in the English league.

Robinson, who played with Keane during their days at Wolves and also alongside the likes of Craig Bellamy and John Hartson for Wales, believes his Sunderland team-mate will continue to develop into a top marksman in front of goal.

"Stephen's a fantastic player and he can go all the way. He's got to keep his feet on the ground and he's got a lot to learn but he can go all the way," said Robinson.

"There's a lot of top youngsters out there but he's at the right club to learn. Mick McCarthy and his assistant Ian Evans, especially, spend a lot of time on the training field with him.

"Stephen's a level-headed lad and if he continues to listen and learn the way he is and continues to progress the way he has then he can go right to the top.

"I've also said before he reminds me a lot of Robbie Keane. He broke through at 17 or 18, a lot younger that Stephen, but Stephen was a relative unknown until this season.

"Mick and Ian knew him from their Irish connection but I think he's making a few people sit up and take notice of him."

Despite Brown's goal against the Hornets, Elliott is certain to retain his place in attack alongside Stewart for the long trip to Brighton this Saturday.

And it is a place in the side that is warranted for the former City player whose lively displays in the Championship this season have caused havoc in opposing defences.

His goal at Wolves on February 4 showed his class and it has been his partnership with Stewart that has forced Michael Bridges and Brown on to the sidelines.

McCarthy remains a big admirer of Brown's talents and the Doncaster-born forward is thought to be still in talks over signing a new deal with the club.

Brown is out of contract in the summer and manager McCarthy recently said: "Brown is improving all the time and he's not the finished article yet.

"I know that Doncaster were pleased with him last season when they had him on loan and that's because he is a player with a lot of potential.

"They would have taken him back but we wanted to keep him here. He is a good prospect.

"When strikers aren't scoring they do get moved around but it works the other way if they are scoring - the other lads don't get much of a chance.

"I'm trying to get goals out of all of them. That's what they enjoy best and sometimes it just doesn't happen. But it's just about them getting a bit of form."

* Ipswich boss Joe Royle wants loan signing James Scowcroft to earn himself a permanent return to Portman Road.

Scowcroft, 29, has returned for the rest of the season and Leicester's 2-1 defeat to the Tractor Boys on Saturday looks like being his last game for the Foxes.

''I don't believe he is a wide midfield player,'' said Royle.

''That's a cop-out and I've told James he's got to start scoring goals if he wants to come back."

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