Fulham boss Felix Magath has claimed that summer signing Ross McCormack will become the "perfect striker" as soon as he regains match fitness.
The Cottagers' £11m man endured a lukewarm debut in Fulham's opening-day defeat to Ipswich Town at Portman Road on Saturday.
However, Magath says that the former Leeds United hitman will go on to justify his hefty transfer fee once his fitness improves.
"Ross came to us with a lack of fitness and not at the beginning of pre-season. He is not at the same level as the rest of the players," he told Sky Sports News.
"I wanted him to be fit when we signed him but at the moment he is not in the right shape.
"He has to improve his fitness and I don't know how long that will take. When he does, he will be the perfect striker for us."
Goals in either half from Daryl Murphy and David McGoldrick sent Ipswich well on their way to victory, before Tim Hoogland bagged a late consolation for the Londoners.
Shane Callaghan
