Cousin's Premier ambition

Tigers striker determined to keep City in top division

By Chris Harvey   Last updated: 4th October 2008

Daniel Cousin Hull

Cousin: Premier League aim

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Hull City striker Daniel Cousin has set his sights on keeping the club in the top flight this season.

Gabon international Cousin, who notched the winning goal at Arsenal last week, joined Hull from Rangers on transfer deadline day.

His debut was delayed until the draw with Everton a fortnight ago because of suspension but the 31-year-old has since made a strong impression and is hoping to continue the good work against Tottenham on Sunday.

Cousin said: "I am feeling great, I am feeling fine. My ambition is to score as many goals as possible and help the team stay in the Premier League.

"There is a great atmosphere in the team and they work very well together."

Cousin was close to joining Fulham in January but the move was scuppered by Fifa rules limiting players to appearing for no more than two clubs in one season.

Cousin, who had previously played for Lens, added: "It didn't happen but it doesn't matter now. I wanted to play in England so I am happy to be here."

The former Rangers hitman has formed an impressive partnership with on-loan striker Marlon King and Tigers boss Phil Brown hopes that will continue.

However he is concerned King, who has been unable to train with the Premier League high-flyers this week due to a back problem, may have to report for international duty with Jamaica next week.

Brown said: "I have had a problem managing Marlon King this week in that I haven't got him on the training ground.

Problem

"Hopefully he will be on the training ground this weekend with a view to playing on Sunday.

"But he has got a back problem and that is causing me a problem. Therefore an 11-hour flight to Jamaica the next day would not be conducive to curing that problem."

Brown insists he does not want to get involved in a club-versus-country row and will be contacting the Jamaican Football Federation ahead of the Spurs game to warn them King may need to pull out. He also says King accepts the situation.

Theodore Whitmore, a former Hull player, is in interim charge of Jamaica with former Liverpool and England winger John Barnes due to take over in November.

"I am trying to nip a problem in the bud," Brown added. "I will be speaking to the Jamaican FA to mark their card with regards to a possible problem after the game.

"It is not a club-versus-country situation. Marlon's take on it is if there is any problem he doesn't want to travel. He wants to be ready for the West Ham game in a fortnight.

"He is well aware of what we are trying to do here. He is one million per cent behind what we are trying to achieve."