Fulham Vs Burnley
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DATE: Tue 9 Feb 2010
TIME: 20:00
VENUE: Craven Cottage
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Fulham will welcome back striker Bobby Zamora from a virus for the clash against Burnley at Craven Cottage.
Simon Davies (ankle) also returns but South African midfielder Kagisho Dikgacoi has been ruled out for up to six weeks because of ankle ligament damage.
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Striker Andrew Johnson - recovering from knee surgery - is out for the rest of the season, while Paul Konchesky (foot), Clint Dempsey and John Pantsil (both knee) are all still sidelined.
The Cottagers made hard work of seeing off the challenge of bottom club Portsmouth last week, when the visitors dominated for long spells before eventually being beaten by a late goal from Jonathan Greening.
Fulham had lost five successive Barclays Premier League games before the victory over Pompey, and picked up another point following a goalless draw at Bolton.
Hodgson, though, knows full well his team must not be complacent against the Clarets, despite their dreadful away record of 11 defeats and one draw.
"On paper, it looks just like the Portsmouth game - it is one which Fulham should comfortably win, but it certainly won't be like that," said Hodgson. "If ever we needed a reminder, we only have to cast our minds back a week ago.
"Portsmouth came and played very well, and we were fortunate to get away with three points, and Portsmouth were unlucky to go away with nothing. That should be uppermost in our mind."
Stephen Jordan is pushing to be in contention for Burnley.
Jordan has been out with a hamstring strain for two weeks but manager Brian Laws confirmed that the defender is nearing a comeback.
Chris McCann's recovery from a knee injury is progressing well but the match at Craven Cottage is too soon for him, while Graham Alexander (calf) and Steven Caldwell (groin) remain sidelined.
Brian Laws believes the game is the perfect opportunity for them to bring their long wait for an away win in the Premier League to an end.
The Clarets beat West Ham 2-1 on Saturday in a typically dynamic performance at Turf Moor to give Laws his first win since being appointed manager last month.
Laws is eager to see his players sustain the momentum and, with Fulham having won only once in eight league games, he feels Craven Cottage could be the ideal place for the Clarets to finally overcome their travel sickness.
"We haven't won away all season so that is our objective, to change that mentality, and there is no better one (for that) than against Fulham," Laws said.
"They are not playing as well as they would like, I know that and I know (Fulham boss) Roy Hodgson would say the same thing.
"We've got to go into this with confidence. All the pressure will be on them, not on us, and those kinds of elements do even themselves out. That's the kind of encouragement I'll be giving to the players."
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