Scott Parker took Mitrovic out of the team

center-forward

Aleksandar Mitrovic

has only started one Premier League game since November’s international break and has not been able to score since their 4-3 defeat against Leeds in September.

As a result, Fulham manager

Scott Parker

has decided to take him out of the team to give him a breather.

“I think it’s fair to say that Aleks, at the start of the season, struggled a bit and had a bit of a dip in form,” Parker said.

“Being the one center-forward in the football club, a lot of pressure and responsibility lies on Aleks’ shoulders. I played football for a long time, I understand those pressures and stresses.

“Sometimes coming out of the arena, and getting some air and oxygen, can help.”

He added: “I’m sure it’s not been an easy period.

“That’s then down to me in terms of managing Aleks and understanding the reasons for that. Of course at the same time, (Ivan) Cavaleiro has done very, very well. The team has done very, very well.

“At the time, players just live in the moment and see it for what it is. That little bit of air you give them, which maybe at first they don’t quite understand, or quite see, they come out the other side, and all of a sudden play with a little bit more freedom.

“They forget what was happening, that burden or dip in form that was maybe on their shoulders.

“I think that’s something that can only help Aleks. Every player has dips in form, every player has moments in their careers and moments in seasons.

“But like I said, I was really pleased with Aleks against Burnley. I thought he was superb when he came on. He was a real presence, showed his quality, played with a real freedom and energy.”

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