McCormack will relish return – Symons

Fulham boss Kit Symons says striker Ross McCormack will relish his return to Elland Road – but warned of the threat Leeds United will carry when the two sides meet on Saturday.

Former Leeds skipper McCormack joined Fulham in the summer when Felix Magath was in charge, and has scored five goals in 22 appearances.

And Symons is confident the Scotland forward will be able to cope with the attention when he plays against his former club.

He said: “Going back to your old club, I think players look forward to it.

“Ross is a very, very good player. He’s put in some really good performances.

“He’s a player we’re delighted to have here and I’m very pleased he’s in our ranks going up to Elland Road on Saturday.”

Fulham were thrashed 5-0 at home by Watford last Friday, when goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli was sent off.

And Symons has warned his team they cannot afford a repeat of that performance against Neil Redfearn’s team.

He said: “They’re a very, very good footballing side.

“They’ve got some really bright young players, some real good talent there, so they try and play football and pass it around really nicely.

“I went to watch them on Saturday up at Ipswich and they started very brightly and they went a goal ahead early on.

“As with all Championship games, it’s going to be a tough game. It’s such a tough, honest league – everyone you come against you’ve got to be at it and play well to get a result.

“And if you’re not – well, we saw what happened Friday night, so we just need to make sure we are.”

Leeds currently sit two places and one point about Fulham ahead of the match.

Gabor Kiraly will deputise for the suspended Bettinelli, with Fulham’s attempts to sign a goalkeeper having been blocked by the Football League.

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