Fulham manager Roy Hodgson believes the return of Paul Konchesky
and Clint Dempsey could prove vital to the club's hunt for success
both at home and in Europe this season.
The Cottagers' attempts to match the heady heights of last
season's seventh place finish have constantly been disrupted by
injury this year.
Injuries to forwards Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson have
denied Hodgson his first choice strikeforce for much of the
campaign and the 62 year old has also had to do without several
other key players, including Konchesky and Dempsey.
Both players hobbled off against Blackburn in January with
ankle and knee injuries respectively, and it had been feared that
both would be sidelined until at least next month.
So Hodgson was naturally delighted to welcome back the duo
for Thursday night's 3-1 Europa League defeat against Juventus in
Turin.
With his side still fighting for honours in three
competitions, Hodgson believes the return of the left back
Konchesky and forward Dempsey could aid the Cottagers' push for
glory at home and in Europe.
"It was good to see those two back (against Juventus), that
was excellent news," said the former Inter Milan boss.
"Both of them have been out for a long period of time and it
was good for Konchesky to get a game under his belt and for Dempsey
to get half an hour under his belt.
"I think they will be very useful for us in the games that we
have left this season, of which there are very many."
The Cottagers now face the difficult task of travelling to
Old Trafford on Sunday to take on a Manchester United side brimming
with confidence.
The Red Devils are two points clear at the top of the
Barclays Premier League and hammered Serie A giants AC Milan 4-0 to
progress to the quarter finals of the Champions League on Wednesday
night.
Fulham will nonetheless be buoyed by the fact that they
pulled off a shock 3-0 win over Sir Alex Ferguson's side at Craven
Cottage just before Christmas.
Zamora, who was on the scoresheet in the United win, failed
to make an impact in the third round first leg loss at the Stadio
Olimpico di Turin.
Fulham's top scorer believes home victories over United and
Liverpool (who they beat 3-1 in October), show that they are
capable of pulling off a similar upset in the return leg on
Thursday.
"We beat United 3-0 and Liverpool 3-1, which are two massive
scalps," said Zamora, who has scored 15 goals this season.
"I see no reason why we can't do it against Juventus.
"I never thought Juventus really troubled us much, which is
why we're so disappointed to concede two goals from set plays. But
if we get an early goal next week, it's set up again.
"The crowd will be buzzing at our place, and we still have a
lot of hope."
Captain Danny Murphy should overcome a groin injury to return
in midfield for the United game while Stefano Okaka and Nicky
Shorey, who were both cup tied for last night's game, are also
available.
