Erik Nevland has first-hand experience of Roy Hodgson masterminding a bid for survival – and he believes the Fulham boss can do the same at Craven Cottage.

The pair were together at FK Viking in Norway, with Hodgson arriving in 2004 to steer the club out of trouble in a similar situation to his current task at Fulham.

“If it wasn’t for Roy we wouldn’t have made it,” said Nevland.

“The relegation battle at Viking was quite hard for me. I was there all my life really and love the club – to be in a relegation battle with the team we had was really hard on everyone.”

Nevland could make his debut on Sunday against Aston Villa in the Barclays Premier League clash at Craven Cottage.

Victory will not move them from 19th but will at least close the gap to their relegation rivals. Nevland feels Fulham can achieve survival.

“It’s going to be a tough one but with the players we have I think it is possible,” said the Norway striker, who had a spell at Manchester United earlier in his career.