Hospitalised Fulham boss Chris Coleman today had his return to work delayed again as he is taking longer than expected to recover from his mystery infection.

Coleman, 33, has spent a week in hospital as doctors battle to prevent the illness targeting his right leg, which is weak after it was shattered in the January 2001 car crash which ended his playing career.

The Welshman was initially due to be released on Thursday – but that was then adjusted to the start of this week.

However, that projection was also delayed, although he is likely to be back in time for Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final showdown with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

A Fulham spokesman told the Press Association: “Chris is expected back at some point this week.”

Coleman, a father of four, awoke at 4am last Tuesday feeling ‘very ill’.

He was taken to hospital and placed on a drip feeding antibiotics into a vein, a treatment which continued over the weekend.

His assistant Steve Kean took charge for Tuesday’s 3-0 FA Cup fifth-round replay victory at West Ham and Saturday’s 1-1 home Barclaycard Premiership draw with United.

But Coleman, who had been so ill during the West Ham fixture that he did not follow the game and slept while his players were on the pitch, recovered enough to pick the team for the excellent result against the champions.