STEVE Cook says he was unsure why Dan Gosling was allowed to leave Cherries during the January transfer window, adding how he is "definitely missed within the changing room".

With his contract coming towards an end, Gosling departed the south coast last month to join Championship rivals Watford, who visit Vitality Stadium tomorrow (12.30pm).

The midfielder became a popular face both within the club and the fanbase during his six-and-a-half stay at Cherries, where he made 192 appearances, scoring 22 goals.

Gosling, 31, has already featured four times for his new club, coming out on the winning side on every occasion so far.

Captain Cook was at Cherries for the entirety of Gosling's stay and admits it was sad to see him leave.

"Goso is a very good friend, a top player and definitely missed within the changing room," Cook told the Daily Echo.

"For reasons that obviously I don’t know he was allowed to leave and fair play to him, he got a contract that he deserved.

"But now obviously the friend side of things has to be put aside. We’re now competing for a place in the Premier League and ultimately we want to come out on top Saturday and bounce back.

"Disappointing that Goso’s not at the club anymore but we’ve got very good centre-midfielders. The group is strong.

"We’re still positive, but we need to put things right. It’s all good me sitting here and the lads talking a good game off the pitch, it’s been the way all season.

"Now we’ve really got to put it into action because after 32 games we’re well below par."

He added: "On paper it’s a good team. But you don’t win anything on paper, you’ve got to do it on the pitch.

"Now it’s time for players to step up, everyone in that dressing room. It’s nice to hear that we’ve got a good squad, but we’re joint sixth, we’re not pulling up trees.

"We’re a lot of points off top place in Norwich. They’ve got a good squad and they’re playing very well.

"It’s the business end now. Forget what’s gone, it’s all to play for for us. Obviously the top two look a million miles away, now it’s the play-offs and we’re going to have to dig in to make sure we’re in there."