Slavisa Jokanovic admits that Shaun Hutchinson will need to play the waiting game as the Serbian considers who will feature in his Fulham back four next season.

The former Motherwell centre back has made just ten appearances for the Whites this term and dropped out of the side that were well beaten by Nottingham Forest on Saturday after helping Jokanovic’s men earn a draw at Ipswich. Jokanovic paid tribute to his professionalism, saying:

“Hutchinson is a professional, and he knows what football is all about and never complains. He has been waiting for his chance. He has been many times out of the team, and at this moment he now needs to be able to help us, and that’s what he is doing.”

The tall centre back, 27, faces an anxious wait to see whether Fulham will activate the option of a further year’s extension with his contract due to expire in June or look for a move to pastures new.