Cairney Ful of praise for Mitro

ALEKSANDAR Mitrovic has been “an animal” out on the pitch in recent games – and Fulham “need” the Newcastle United forward if they are to clinch promotion.

That is the view of former Magpies’ midfield target Tom Cairney, who has been impressed by the Serbian since he arrived at Craven Cottage on transfer-deadline day in January.

In just five Championship starts, Mitrovic has scored five goals – all of which have come in his last four games.

That included a brace during the in-form Cottagers’ 3-0 victory over Sheffield United on Tuesday evening.

Mitrovic failed to make a Premier League start for Newcastle this season before heading out on loan in January but the 23-year-old has excelled in west London as he targets a place in Serbia’s squad for this summer’s World Cup in Russia. Fulham captain Cairney has certainly liked what he has seen from the Magpies’ forward so far. With 10 games remaining, Slavisa Jokanovic’s side is fourth in the Championship – five points behind second-placed Cardiff City. Cairney said of Mitrovic: “He has been absolutely immense ever since he has walked through the door. “He looks hungry, he is getting fitter and fitter every week and he is really causing centre-halves serious problems. “On top of that he is scoring goals. “Mitrovic is a bit of an animal at the minute and if we are going to do anything this season we will need him.”