WATFORD and QPR are the two latest clubs linked with a move for Cherries captain Steve Cook.

The centre-back has found game-time hard to come by since boss Scott Parker arrived to replace Jonathan Woodgate over the summer.

Cook, who has been at Cherries for more than 10 years, has just six months remaining on his contract at Vitality Stadium.

After months not even making a matchday squad, Cook was thrust into action in the past few weeks following a defensive injury crisis.

The 30-year-old made his first Championship appearance of the season in the 2-2 home draw with Coventry City, starting alongside Chris Mepham with both Lloyd Kelly and Gary Cahill injured.

Cook then kept his spot for the 1-1 draw away at leaders Fulham, named man-of-the-match following his heroic double block.

The Hastings-born star also started in the 2-0 home defeat by Blackburn Rovers, before dropping back to the bench for Saturday's trip to Middlesbrough, with the Cahill and Kelly partnership restored.

A report by Football Insider claims in-form Championship outfit QPR as well as Premier League Watford and lining up a January move for Cook.

Newcastle United have also been linked with the defender ahead of next month's transfer window.

Discussing his future recently in an interview with the Daily Echo, Cook said: "Who knows? My contract is up in the summer. I have to protect myself, I have a young family – they are my motivation.

“I am 30 years old, I have played a lot of football. I am ready to take on anything that comes my way.

"My commitment has always been to the club and whatever comes my way, we will deal with it as myself and the club."