This is great news. With all the focus on Hodgson and Hangeland, we wondered whether the soon-to-be-out-of-contract Aaron Hughes might slip out the back door. To lose half of our most effective central defensive partnership in years on a free transfer would be decidedly Fulhamish. But the Northern Ireland international told the Evening Standard that discussions have begun over a contract extension.

We’re talking at the minute and, hopefully, we can get something sorted out. I’ve enjoyed it here even when things weren’t going too well in my first season with the club. All that was missing was the results. Now we’ve come out the other side where we’re getting the results I’m enjoying it just as much. Hopefully, I can hang around a bit longer.

Hughes also knows just how important tonight’s game against CSKA Sofia is.

This is a big game for us. If we win, we keep ourselves in the competition and we can look forward to going to Basel with something to play for.