Aaron Hughes is fit again after his groin injury and could return to the Fulham side in Saturday’s game at Stoke City.
The Northern Ireland centre back missed what could have been his final two caps for his country and has not played for Fulham since going off after 20 minutes of the 1-1 draw against Blackburn on September 11. Hughes’ chances of making an immediate return to the starting line-up have been increased by the news that Philippe Senderos will miss the game at the Britannia Stadium after picking up a thigh strain on international duty.
Costa Rican winger Bryan Ruiz won’t feature either – sidelined by a knee complaint – and young prospect Kerim Frei is out with an ankle problem.
