Marek Rodak is set to return in goal for Fulham’s trip to Preston on Saturday having missed last night’s draw with Derby County are coming into contact with someone who had contracted coronavirus when he flew back from international duty.

Paulo Gazzaniga, who had started the season as the Craven Cottage number one, stepped in for Rodak against the Rams but the Slovakian international will be available at Deepdale this weekend. Fulham head coach Marco Silva told his pre-match press conference this afternoon:

“Marek’s situation is strange. Even the day before, we had some information that everything would be okay and not a problem. “Then the next day, we were told it would be impossible for him to play. It’s a bit strange because we are talking about a player who played some days before. These are the protocols, I don’t want to talk about it, it’s in the past but he will be available for the next match.”

Silva is far from certain who else will be available for selection as the Whites look to get back to winning ways this week, with several players still feeling the aftereffects of a norovirus bug that swept through the squad earlier this week.

“It is something that we will have to check tomorrow. Not just Tom [Cairney] and Mitro but all the others as well. Of course, after the game, they will be even worse. Some of the players weren’t in the best condition. It is up to us to check again, tomorrow. We will have a conversation with the doctor to check them and take the decisions for the match. It wasn’t a perfect scenario with how we had to prepare. Even on the matchday, we had the situation of Marek and Mitro. There are no excuses because I think what Paulo did is a good example of what I want them to do.”

Silva is certain that Preston North End will prove tough opponents in front of the Sky cameras on Saturday lunchtime.

“It will be tough to play Preston. They won their last game, and it is a tough place to play. We are in a very good moment, even if yesterday we didn’t score but we created a lot of chances. We never find excuses for anything, even if something disturbs our preparation. We must look forward for the next one and try to go there to finish off the week on a high with three points.”