Lee Cook Returned

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Lee Cook has returned to Fulham, with strong messageboard rumours that he'll be signing for QPR in the summer.

Charlton Official Site

Alan Pardew's focus on next season was further demonstrated on Thursday when he allowed Lee Cook to return to Fulham.

With Charlton's hopes of involvement in the end-of-season play-offs now over, Pardew is already looking ahead to the 2008/09 Championship campaign.

Cook, who limped out of Saturday's 1-0 loss at former club Queens Park Rangers after just 20 minutes with a dead leg, had forced his way into Pardew's first team in recent weeks.

But, following the end of Charlton's promotion bid, Pardew felt it was in both the club's and Cook's best interests for the player to return to Fulham.

Pardew told the official website: "Lee was brought here to try and help us gain promotion, and that chance has now gone.

"He's a Fulham player and I didn't feel we had any chance of signing him permanently. There's no point keeping him here so I've sent him back and his position will be taken by one of the players who will be here next year and who is looking to make an impact."

With Jerome Thomas (hamstring) and Lloyd Sam (thigh) sidelined by injury, Cook's place for Saturday's clash with Barnsley at Oakwell is up for grabs, so the likes of Luke Varney and youngster Scott Wagstaff will both be pushing to start on the left flank.

Pardew added: "Unfortunately, we do have a couple of injuries to wide players in JT and Lloyd Sam, which is a bit of a blow, but it can be cushioned by one or two of the youngsters."

The Addicks clinched a loan deal for Cook just five hours before the January transfer window closed.

The capture of the 25-year-old, who was purchased by the Cottagers from Queens Park Rangers for £2.5m in July, followed the departure of midfielder Andy Reid to Sunderland earlier the same day.

Hampered by a series of injuries this term, Cook has yet to make his debut for Fulham. But he earned plenty of plaudits during his time at Loftus Road. A boyhood QPR fan, Hammersmith-born Cook made 137 appearances for the R's, scoring 10 goals, from 2004-07.

He started his career at Aylesbury United and moved to QPR from Watford, going on to be named Rangers' young player of the year in his first season, followed by both the supporters' player and players' player of the year awards in subsequent campaigns.

Cook made his Addicks debut in the 1-1 draw at Sheffield Wednesday in February and went on to make eight further appearances in a red shirt. Charlton