Slavisa Jokanovic backs Fulham's Dembele and McCormack

Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic thinks Moussa Dembele and Ross McCormack will not have been affected by speculation in the recent transfer window.

Dembele, 19, came close to a move to Tottenham while fellow striker McCormack, 29, was the subject of a bid from Championship rivals Middlesbrough.

"They are our key players and are very important for us," Jokanovic said.

"Different clubs were interested in them but now everything is calm and they are concentrated on helping us."

The Serb, speaking to BBC Radio London, added: "This is part of football and that is it.

"January is hard and now the next steps are in front of us. We need to forget about it."

Dembele (l) and McCormack (r) have contributed 24 league goals for Fulham this season

Scotland international McCormack has scored 17 goals in all competitions for the Whites this season while Frenchman Dembele, who is out of contract in the summer, has netted 11 times.

With Fulham currently 19th in the Championship table and under a transfer embargo, Jokanovic was especially keen to keep hold of his front men.

"We are under an embargo and it is not easy to find players," the 47-year-old said. "In the future we can build the team around Ross.

"If I have the best striker in the league and decide to sell him, we are in difficulty to find something similar to what we have right now in our hands."