Fulham manager Martin Jol has revealed that he will be without the services of defender Chris Baird and midfielder Clint Dempsey for tomorrow night’s Europa League against FC Twente.
Chris Baird stayed at home for personal reasons and Clint Dempsey has a slight thigh problem. We’ve got 21 players with us for Thursday night’s match.
Jol will also be without Steve Sidwell as the midfielder continues to recover from a hernia operation, although Republic of Ireland pair Damien Duff and Stephen Kelly are both available for selection after their injury lay-offs. The Fulham manager has shrugged off questions about fatigue despite Fulham’s season starting in June.
Tomorrow will be our 27th game but FC Twente have played a lot of games as well. I’m in favour of a winter break but it’s impossible in England. We’re working fine and our injury problems are not dramatic. I’m quite satisfied.
Jol also believes Fulham can be more prolific in the final third.
There’s more goals in us. We created plenty of chances in our recent away games – it’s a matter of confidence and it coming right like it did against QPR.
He has dismissed suggestions that Twente might take their foot off the gas tomorrow night, having already qualified from Group K:
I think they’ll think about changing the line-up but they will want to perform at home. They’re getting bigger and bigger as a club. It’s a very nice club and over the last few years they’ve been champions and moved to Champions League level. They’ve got a good structure and organisation and they’re playing good football.
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