QPR assistant boss pays tribute to Cook

QPR assistant manager Mick Jones has paid tribute to Lee Cook following his loan move to Leyton Orient.

Cook, 29, has struggled with knee problems in recent seasons and as a result did not make a single competitive appearance for Fulham after they signed him from the R’s in 2008.

The popular winger returned to Loftus Road the following year but has been unable to rediscover his fitness and form, and has been out of the first-team picture for some time.

He has joined League One side Orient for an initial month with a view to extending his spell there if he performs well.

“He’d have liked to have played higher up, but at this stage I think the important thing for him is just to play games,” Jones told West London Sport.

“The lad has been a great servant to QPR and it’s a tragedy that he’s had the injury problems he has.

“What I love about the guy is that he’s not bitter and doesn’t feel sorry for himself like you get with some footballers. He doesn’t go around saying ‘Life’s dealt me a bad hand’ or any of that.

“He’s a great person, he really is, and I really hope that in the next stage of his career he can play some games and enjoy his football.”

Cook is expected to make his O’s debut in Saturday’s match at Sheffield Wednesday.

Rangers spent much of Thursday trying to find takers for Rob Hulse and other fringe players in a bid to get them out on loan before the deadline.

Hulse recently turned down a temporary move to Doncaster because he did not want to be away from his family, who live in the south.

Follow West London Sport on Twitter