Leon Cort admits he is desperate to score against his old club Crystal Palace when they arrive at the Britannia Stadium on Monday.

The former Eagle said he'll celebrate any goal that might come his way and it will be an extra special one for him.

The 28 year old left Selhurst Park under something of a cloud after new boss Neil Warnock told him he was being let go because he wasn't aggressive enough.

The big defender has an amazing disciplinary record of over 160 games without a booking or sending off, since he was last booked playing for Southend way back in April 2004, prompting Warnock to tell him he didn't get stuck in enough, and was being off-loaded.

The goal-scoring centre half joined the Potters earlier this season on loan before signing permanently for a club record fee of £1.2 million in January.

"My first year at Palace was a great success for me personally," said Leon.

"The team didn't do all that well and we finished 12th in the table, but on a personal level it was good and I even won the player of the year award.

"The second year wasn't so good though and that's why Warnock went in and tried to change things.

"I don't think he really needed to say what he did about me.

"He could have come to me, told me he was bringing in another defender, and I would have shaken his hand.

"But I thought what he said was all a bit childish to be honest."

Although he enjoyed the majority of his time with the Eagles, Leon feels he has something to prove against Warnock, and will relish scoring in front of the fans who used to cheer him on.

"I've got nothing against the supporters at Crystal Palace, they were good to me," insisted Cort, "But if I score there's no chance I won't celebrate.

"I'll definitely celebrate, just through the joy of scoring for Stoke at this important time of the season."

Cort will be looking to add to his impressive tally of eight goals for the campaign, despite not joining the Potters until November this season.