Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen is looking to add points to performances as the Cottagers aim to climb out of the Barclays Premier League relegation zone over Christmas.

Trips to Norwich and Hull follow a tricky run of fixtures for Meulensteen’s side in which Fulham have won just once in their last nine outings – losing the other eight.

But, following Saturday’s 4-2 defeat to Manchester City, Meulensteen believes Fulham are now entering a crucial period where more points can be accrued.

“I really see those four games we have just had as four difficult ones,” he said.

“Taking over somewhere just before halfway in the season is difficult enough itself and then you end up Spurs, Villa, Everton and City where three of those four teams are pushing for something.

“We knew they were difficult ones but what we are disappointed about is, on the back of the performances, we had, is that we didn’t get more points out of those games.

“Now we have another block of games with different opponents – Norwich and Hull to start and then West Ham and Sunderland.

“That is now where we need to look back to these previous games and those performances and turn them into results.”

Fulham’s chances in their Boxing Day clash at Carrow Road could be bolstered by the return from injury of Dimitar Berbatov.

The Bulgarian striker missed the defeat to City after picking up an injury the day before.

But Meulensteen is hopeful he with have one of his main men back.

When asked if Berbatov had a chance of facing Norwich, he said: “I hope so. “It is going to be another late fitness test and we will have to have a look in the next couple of days.

“He has responded well to the treatment in his right abductor but we don’t want to be taking any risks and making sure that we are doing the right.

“It was a late shout for the Manchester City game and we thought it was too be a risk of him breaking down. Hopefully we can welcome him back for the Norwich game. He has a fairly good chance.

“There is always a slight doubt where the medical staff could tell me to push it back to the Hull game but at the moment I’m positive he can play.”

Meulensteen confirmed protracted negotiations to bring Clint Dempsey are ongoing but he is not getting himself involved in the paperwork to see the former Fulham man return on a short-term loan deal from Major League Soccer franchise the Seattle Sounders.

“I can confirm the medical and paperwork is still ongoing,” he added.

“That is as far as what I know. Wed like to have him here and he would like to come.

“I don’t want to get involved in all that. I just want to say “Hello, Clint” when he is ours and start working with him.”