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Chris Martin is poised to make a sensational return to the Fulham starting line-up against Barnsley tomorrow afternoon after successful discussions with Slavisa Jokanovic at Motspur Park.

The on-loan Derby County striker had refused to play in Fulham’s last three fixtures as he sought an early end to his loan spell at Craven Cottage, but after negotiations with the Serbian head coach, Jokanovic announced at his pre-match press conference this afternoon that the Scotland international was once again fit and available for selection. Jokanovic insisted he was convinced that Martin ‘was fully focused on Fulham’ and had returned to regular training with the first-team squad.

He is fit and available for selection and we expect he will start scoring goals. It’s good news for us. Chris started working with us and he’s available and he’s focused on Fulham. He is an important part of my team and all of us believe in the future, he is going to grow up his value and be an important player for us in this competition and in the future too.

We resolved this situation inside the dressing room and he is 100 per cent committed with us. We believe in him. The team believe in him. The club believe in him. I expect [the] supporters are going to help us like always during my time as Fulham coach and push us hard and strong and be brave to do everything for three points.

Jokanovic even hinted that Martin could still make his move to Craven Cottage permanent at the end of his loan deal, something which seemed far-fetched earlier in the week.

This is a question for the club. The club know my opinion. I repeat many times what I think about Chris Martin. What is important for us is his commitment is full if he’s ready for tomorrow’s game and all of us expect he can be important and he can be a player that will make a difference for us.