LEEDS skipper Lucas Radebe has warned striker Alan Smith he must learn to curb his temperament if he is shake off his bad-boy image.

Smith, 22 today, was sent off for the eighth time in his career in Saturday's fiery clash with Middlesbrough.

Leeds boss Terry Venables felt Smith was a victim of rough justice and hinted they would ask referee Rob Styles to reconsider the two yellow cards meted out to the England international.

But Radebe believes Smith's conduct is crucial to his future career: "It's up to him now,'' said Radebe. "He knows he's a role model for a lot of people who love him.

"When things like this happen, it can turn people against you. You never know if the referee is right, but his decision is final.

"But it's not good for your reputation when that happens. Everyone is going to look at Alan and say he's a rough player.

"He knows himself that no manager will want to put the team at risk by picking any player who might get sent off.

"When it comes to discipline, things happen and there is frustration in games.

"But you have to contain it. We all get frustrated and we all want to kick out, but he has to learn. He is a bit aggressive and needs to control that.

"Taking it on to the pitch is not always good. I came off frustrated after this result - I was the worst, but what can you do?

"When you have all that anger inside, you just have to accept things sometimes.''

Boro manager Steve McClaren, assistant coach to England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, said of Smith's disciplinary record: "I don't think it's a real problem.''