João Palhinha is out of Fulham’s Premier League opener at Everton on Saturday with his shoulder injury.
Fulham head coach Marco Silva confirmed during his press conference this afternoon that the defensive midfielder, who injured his shoulder during the Summer Series in America last month, will miss the trip to Goodison Park but could return for the London derby against Brentford on August 19.
João is out. He’s been doing individual work but not full work with the team yet. We have to assess him day by day. To be honest, now we are much more positive about the return date, but we have to see. We expected him to be probably ready for the first matchday but it’s not going to be possible. And after, we have to see day by day, to analyse him, how he’s going to react, and to see if he’s going to be ready for the next one or not.”
Silva also revealed that Andreas Pereira and Tom Cairney will require further checks on their fitness ahead of the trip to Meresyside this weekend.
We have to assess some of the others, some knocks the last few games, last few days as well,” Silva said. “There are some doubts, like Andreas Pereira and some of the other players. There’s nothing really serious but we have another session tomorrow and we have to assess them and, after, to take decisions for the game.”
Fulham will be without key midfielder Joao Palhinha for Saturday’s season opener against Everton at Goodison Park.
