Fulham boss Roy Hodgson is still hopeful of signing Daniel Cousin from Rangers this season after a FIFA meeting later in February to discuss player status regulations.

Hodgson agreed a £3million deal for the 30-year-old Gabon striker but rules stipulate players cannot appear for three different clubs in the same season.

Cousin played just 20 minutes of a French league match before joining Rangers from Lens in August.

A FIFA spokesman said on Rangers’ website: “The outcome is still pending because the legal department have asked to see more documentation, especially from Fulham.

“They need more time to analyse everything and I don’t think we will announce a verdict before Monday now.”

Hodgson is hopeful ahead of the meeting: “I believe there is a meeting about player status in 10 days’ time at the end of the African Nations Cup.

“I’m still rather hopeful that the initial decision could be overturned because it is quite harsh that someone who has played only 20 minutes is regarded as having an extra club in the season.

“It’s also quite harsh when a transfer has been agreed and everyone is happy with it. To send him back to a club is not the best of situations, especially Rangers where passions run high.

“I’m still hopeful he can come here this season. I don’t think the door is closed. All the time the door is ajar, we’ve got to hope it can be open fully.”

Even though the January transfer window is closed, the deal can still be completed.

Hodgson explained: “The decision, of course, is retroactive. It won’t mean it’s outside the transfer window because our application was within the transfer window.”