Mark Hughes is confident that Fulham can help revive Steve Sidwell’s spluttering career.

The Whites have had great success in recent years in rejuvenating players who have failed to perform with their previous employers – look at Bobby Zamora’s European exploits or Damien Duff’s outstanding displays after leaving Newcastle. Sidwell wasn’t short of suitors when he decided to leave Aston Villa but picked Craven Cottage as the place to start again.

Hughes knows all about the former Reading man’s qualities.

“He’s been hampered by injuries since he left Reading. We know we’ve got a good player. There were a lot of clubs in for him because they understand what he can offer. What he needs is consistent football and the feeling that he’s part of the main team here. For the last two or three years, he’s not had that feeling.”

Sidwell could be in line for a start at Anfield on Wednesday after Dickson Etuhu injured his hamstring in the win over Stoke and is a serious doubt for the trip to Liverpool.