NOTTINGHAM Forest defender Steve Cook admitted he was looking forward to the challenge of lining up against former team-mate Dominic Solanke tomorrow, who he describes as “one of the best strikers around”.

The pair were key components at either end of the field as Cherries reached the Championship play-offs last season.

Solanke has scored 20 goals in 32 games in all competitions this campaign – already his best scoring season to date.

And Cherries legend Cook, who departed Vitality Stadium to join Nottingham Forest last month, admits it will be a “difficult night” when the Tricky Trees attempt to keep Solanke quiet in Dorset.

Quizzed on playing against Cherries’ star frontman, Cook told the Daily Echo: “He’s a top, top footballer.

“I think he responded extremely well to a little bit of criticism he got here and there. When you get signed for almost £20million, it can weigh heavy on you sometimes.

“I think Dom’s one of the best strikers around. He’s got everything – he’s quick, he’s a very clever footballer so yeah, it’s going to be a very difficult night for us defenders.

“But in saying that, I am really looking forward to the contest.

“Dom and I get on really well, it will be an enjoyable game and hopefully I can come out on top of that one.”

While he arrived at the City Ground just more than six weeks ago, former Brighton man Cook still has a base in Bournemouth at present with his family.

Asked whether he had spoken with any of his former team-mates, the defender replied: “I have met a few of them every other week for a coffee, because I am still living round the corner from them.

“Being at a club for so long, you make friends. My family is still close to certain people as well.

“I have changed club, my family are still in Bournemouth, though. It feels a bit strange because I see them quite regularly and I’m back in the town quite a lot.

“I made some great friends at the club and I am still friendly with them now.

“Even the players that were only at the club recently – Robbie Brady I met for a coffee with David Brooks and Lewis Cook. It’s nice as well.”

He added: “It’s a huge move for myself and my family. They are still living in Bournemouth now, so I do come back quite regularly as well.

“That’s been the hardest thing. Adapting to finding a new house, trying to find schools, being away from my kids – it’s really difficult.

“That side of things has been hard but the playing side of it has helped with winning games and the manager (Steve Cooper) has been really good with me here – allowing me to go back for a couple of days here and there – I have settled in really nicely.”