Fulham are close to finalising a new deal to keep Moritz Volz at Craven Cottage beyond the end of the season.

Manager Chris Coleman is hopeful the 23-year-old German right-back will sign in the next couple of weeks.

Defender Volz has been pushed forward into midfield recently and scored his first Barclays Premiership goal in last weekend’s 1-1 away draw against Aston Villa.

Ahead of tomorrow’s Premiership home match against Wigan, Coleman said: “We are quite close with Volzy. He wants to stay and I’ve been delighted with his attitude and his input. He has done a terrific job for us.

“He is a young guy as well and he’s only going to get better. He is definitely somebody we want for the future and he wants to stay which is important.”

Former Arsenal man Volz is one of five Fulham players whose current contracts are due to expire next summer.