Report: Nottingham Forest rival Warburton for 30-year-old with promotion under his belt

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Nottingham Forest are to rival former Reds boss Mark Warburton for Bournemouth defender Steve Cook, according to the Daily Mail.

Forest aren’t ahead in the race though. QPR are holding the aces and are believed to be in advanced talks.

Cook has fallen down the pecking order at the Vitality Stadium. He has made just three appearances for the Cherries, with his last one coming during a 2-0 loss to Blackburn.

Scott Parker has gone with other options and now the 30-year-old could be ending his long association with the club.

Cook arrived when Eddie Howe was achieving great things at Bournemouth.

He signed in 2012 and hasn’t looked back. The centre-back has made 387 appearances for the club, with 168 coming in the Premier League.

Cook’s age doesn’t really sit with the profile of a player that Dane Murphy might sign.

Forest are on the lookout for a permanent addition to their defensive line during January though.

Joe Worrall and Scott McKenna are the first choice partnership, with Tobias Figueiredo the option in reserve.

If Cooper opts to go with all three central defenders, it leaves his squad without an option from the bench.

Underwhelming but Cook could do Forest job

At 30, the centre-back is hardly over the hill and as a short-term option, he could be an ideal option.

His experience of getting out of the Championship could be ideal among a relatively young Forest defensive unit.

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Of course, there are more attractive options out there and Murphy is bound to have some options up his sleeve.

Cook might be a sensible addition though and he could help Forest tighten up at the back and secure a play-off place in the Championship.