Fulham’s genial giant Brede Hangeland warns they cannot afford to get carried away after capturing the big scalp of Arsenal in only the second game of the season.
Hangeland was the hero against the Gunners, netting his first goal for Fulham and sparking near-delirious celebrations at Craven Cottage.
But he is quick to remind his team-mates it was less than two weeks ago they opened the campaign with defeat at newly-promoted Hull – and must be wary of hosting League One side Leicester in the Carling Cup second round on Wednesday night.
Hangeland, 27, said: “I feel that we didn’t perform well at Hull. We repaired that in a way against Arsenal and it was a big three points but really it is all about consistency.
“We face a cup tie now and it is no good getting carried away. After that we are not playing for nearly three weeks because it was supposed to be Manchester United this weekend but they are in the European Super Cup on Friday in Monaco.
“And we don’t want to sit it out all that time thinking our last performance was a poor one against a team from a lower division.”
Fulham could field Andrew Johnson in the clash but the former Everton striker will not be risked unless he has fully recovered from a thigh injury.
Johnson missed the opening league defeat at Hull and Saturday’s win over Arsenal but South Korea’s Seol Ki-Hyeon has done well in his place and Hodgson has other attacking options in Norway’s Erik Nevland and American Clint Dempsey.
With Fulham’s next game not until September 13, Hodgson may also give a debut to Swedish defender Fredrik Stoor, but left-back Paul Konchesky remains an injury doubt while striker Diomansy Kamara (knee) and goalkeeper Antti Niemi (wrist) are long-term casualties.
Leicester have done well since going down from the Championship on the last day last season despite a draw at promoted Stoke.
Twice winners of the League Cup in the last 12 years, they have already knocked out Stockport this season and kept up the early pace in League One with two wins and a draw.
Fulham met them in the FA Cup third round in January 2007, drawing at Leicester and then recovering from 3-1 down to win the replay 4-3.
Leicester travel to Fulham on the back of a strong start to their promotion campaign and striker Matt Fryatt hopes Nigel Pearson gives him chance to test himself against a top flight side.
“I want to be involved in every game but it’s up to the manager who he picks,” he told lcfc.co.uk.
“But whatever team we field, I’m sure we’ll more than hold our own.
“It’s a massive game for us and we want to win it. We want to keep our unbeaten run going.”
Left-back Joe Mattock remains sidelined with the ankle ligament damage he suffered in the first round defeat of Stockport earlier this month.
Fellow defender Patrick Kisnorbo is still recovering from knee ligament damage while midfielder Stephen Clemence (ankle) also remains unavailable.
