Fulham have received a significant boost with the news that Arsene Wenger is not intending to recall Moritz Volz from his loan spell.

The Gunners boss had been expected to bring the German under-21 international back to Highbury after suspensions following Arsenal’s battle of Old Trafford with Manchester United decimated his defensive options. Volz has been in outstanding form during his nine Premier League appearances with the division’s surprise package but Wenger is instead going to switch Koulo Toure to right back and play Pascal Cygan in the heart of a reshaped defence – starting on Saturday at Birmingham.

The much-maligned Swiss defender has only appeared as a substitute in the league this season and has not started a Premier League fixture since Arsenal meekly surrendered their title by throwing away a two-goal lead at Bolton back in April.