Marco Silva has insisted that Andreas Pereira remains part of his plans at Fulham – despite leaving him out for this afternoon’s draw at Tottenham Hotspur.

The Brazilian international angrily claimed on Instagram that an interview he gave to Premier League Brasil earlier this week had been mistranslated maliciously – with quotes appearing to suggest that he saw his future away from Craven Cottage. Speaking after the 1-1 draw at Spurs, Silva said that the midfielder wasn’t dropped because of that interview but as a tactical ploy for the London derby.

Silva said:

“I didn’t read the interview. I know some of the topics of the interview. I didn’t read the interview because for me to read something from my players I need to be sure that they did it. I didn’t read it but I know what you are talking about. The thing that I want to tell you is that Andreas is going to be back stronger and is going to be with us to help the team like he has been.

He’s going to be the important player that he’s been since he our joined the football club. It’s nothing related to the interview. I don’t make decisions (based) on interviews. My decisions are never going to be related to newspapers or something. My decisions come from a daily basis with the players, (training) sessions, games and nothing more.”

Silva suggested that Pereira could be back in Fulham’s starting line-up as soon as Thursday, when the Whites will face Brighton and Hove Albion without the suspended Sasa Lukic and Tom Cairney.

“Let’s hope we can have Andreas ready again next week in the way I know he can play. We need everybody in this moment of the season.”