Fulham defender Philippe Senderos has been impressed by the way his team-mates have started the campaign after a summer of upheaval.

Mousa Dembele, Clint Dempsey, Pavel Pogrebnyak and Danny Murphy were amongst the key players to depart Craven Cottage, leaving manager Martin Jol with a rebuilding job on his hands.

However, Dimitar Berbatov, Mladen Petric and Kieran Richardson have come in and helped Fulham make a better start than many expected given the circumstances.

The west Londoners currently lie ninth in the Barclays Premier League and Senderos, who has been forced to watch from the sidelines through injury, has been impressed by his team-mates.

He told Press Association Sport: “It has been a pretty good start and we’re really happy with it.

Hopefully we can build on the good start and continue like this. “

The Switzerland international added: “We’ve lost a few players and replaced them really with players that are hungry and they want to do well.

“The team has responded really well in the first game and hopefully, for me personally, I can get my chance and grab it and be in the team. “

Senderos has not featured so far this season due to a foot injury, but has made two appearances for the reserves.

He was also named on the bench for Fulham’s 2-2 draw at Southampton and is targeting a place back in Jol’s defence.

“I am available for selection so hopefully I will start again very soon,” Senderos said.

“It is nice to be back.

I’ve been training and with the reserves I have played my second game.

I am really happy, I am really pleased.

The sensations are good.

“I am pleased the team is doing well in my absence as well so it is good.

“I love my job so whatever conditions, whatever weather, I am blessed to do what I do. “