CENTRE-back Steve Cook insists the key to victory over Fulham will be to nullify the threat posed by big-money striker Ross McCormack.

The Scot has managed 12 goals in 41 outings for the Cottagers this season having completed a reported £11million move fromLeeds last summer.

Cook and co kept McCormack off the scoresheet during the 2-0 win over Fulham on Boxing Day but the Glasgow-born forward scored in both of Leeds’ games against Cherries last season.

McCormack fired the Whites to a 2-1 success on home turf before scoring a consolation goal in the 4-1 defeat at Dean Court – with Cook facing the frontman on both occasions.

And the Cherries defender warned that the 28-year-old would need to be closely watched if the visitors were to take victory at Craven Cottage tonight (7.45pm) and return to the Championship summit.

Cook told the Daily Echo: “He’s a very good player who can score goals and cause teams a lot of problems. If we keep him quiet, we will end up winning the game.

“It’s nice to shut out players that have been bought for big money but at the end of the day a clean sheet is a clean sheet, no matter who you play against.

“As a team they have goals in them so we have to be on our guard. Hugo Rodallega is one player who is a handful and has scored goals in the Premier League.

“But we don’t focus too much on the opposition’s players or the way they play. We feel that if we are all at it then we will come away with three points.

“The win is all-important and if McCormack scores and we win 2- 1 then we won’t complain.”

Cook felt that Fulham’s perilous position in the Championship had been caused by a lack of solidity in form.

He added: “They are quite inconsistent and that’s probably why they are where they are at the moment. They got a terrific result against Derby but lost at Watford in midweek, so they are on a tough run.

“We want the three points and, hopefully, it will be us that takes the win.”