Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Cook could miss season opener – evening news
Cook could miss season opener – evening news
Thursday, 16th Jul 2009 23:24

Left winger Lee Cook looks set to miss the start of the 2009/10 season with ongoing knee problems. Meanwhile more information on the move for Alessandro Pellicori has become available.

Cook’s injury problems are well documented – the left winger missed the entire 2007/08 season after moving from QPR to Fulham and struggled for fitness last season on his return as well, although he insisted a summer of strengthening exercises would see him right. Cook has undergone keyhole surgery on his troubled knee this summer and will now miss the vast majority of the pre-season campaign and the opening matches of the season.

Manager Jim Magilton told the Ealing Gazette: “He is resting at the minute and under the hands of the club's medical team. He'll not feature for the next few weeks. Yes, he's got a chance for the start of the season - but we'll see.”

Paulo Sousa’s sacking came on the back of him revealing information about the club, including revelations about Lee Cook’s fitness which were then followed by stories about Cook being ruled out for four months. In his absence Angelo Balanta scored twice from left wing in Slovenia last night.

Cook is likely to be beaten back into action by skipper Martin Rowlands. He has travelled to Slovenia with the team but is not likely to feature as he continues to recover from a knee injury sustained at Derby in January. Magilton said: “We've got to keep the reins on Martin and take that responsibility from him. We'll assess the situation on a daily basis - but it will be a couple of weeks and after we get back from Slovenia and Croatia before he gets some minutes on a pitch.”

Whether Cook and Rowlands will be joined at Loftus Road by Alessandro Pellicori remains to be seen. The Italian striker has been giving interviews in his homeland stating that he has signed for QPR and is looking forward to the challenge, but the Ealing Gazette reports today that his spell with QPR is currently only a trial with a view to a £1m transfer and the final decision will be Jim Magilton’s. Rangers are hoping to take advantage of Pellicori’s club Avellino’s dire financial situation by nabbing the target man who scored 18 goals in Serie B the season before last playing as a lone striker.

The dreaded “ QPR source” (gosh I wonder who it could be?!) told the Gazette: “If Jim Magilton likes what he sees then a deal can be done quickly. With the state Avellino are in it could be that a future creditor would let him go far more cheaply - but there are too many ifs and maybes to all of that. He's come to an age where he could be perfect for QPR - but that's all in the hands of the manager.”

Reaction to QPR’s draw against Slovenian side NK Celje on Wednesday has been trickling in. Manager Jim Magilton told the club’s official website: “We scored two excellent goals and conceded two sloppy goals, but overall I'm really pleased with the work-out. I thought the first half display was fantastic in spells. We passed the ball well and moved it in the right areas. Some of our attacking player was right up there and the players are really beginning to profit from the work we're doing on the training ground. We're just a couple of weeks in to our training schedule and they've been back five or six weeks, so it shows how well we've competed tonight. The lads are looking sharp already and I'm really pleased with their efforts.

“He [Alejandro Faurlin] hasn't played for a while, so I was delighted with his display. Of course he was always likely to tire towards the end of the game, because he hasn't played for a while, but overall I was really impressed. He passed the ball really well and kept possession, so I'm delighted.”

In former QPR news Jerome Thomas is trialling with Hull City while Jordi Lopez has finally completed his move to Swansea City. Chairman Huw Jenkins told the Swansea official website: “Jordi is due to have a medical on Monday with a view to completing the deal and flying to Spain with the squad on Tuesday for a week-long training camp.”

Elsewhere in the Championship today Nottingham Forest’s summer spending shows no sign of letting up with a £700,000 offer for Preston midfielder Paul McKenna now on the table. Swansea’s troubled summer also continues with key midfielder Darren Pratley out for two months requiring a shoulder operation.

Photo: Action Images



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.


You need to login in order to post your comments

Bristol Rovers Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© FansNetwork 2024