• Premier League

Hodgson admits Zamora & Duff concerns ahead of final

ESPN staff
May 6, 2010
Damien Duff was withdrawn against Stoke on Wednesday night © Getty Images
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Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has admitted that Damien Duff and Bobby Zamora are injury doubts for the Europa League final against Atletico Madrid on May 13.

Zamora missed the Cottagers' match on Wednesday evening - a 1-0 defeat to Stoke City - as he continues to be troubled by a long-standing Achilles complaint.

Duff started the Stoke fixture, but he was withdrawn at half-time after suffering a recurrence of a calf complaint.

Both players have played integral roles in Fulham's progress to the European final, while Zamora's 19 goals this season have led to calls for him to be included in England's World Cup squad.

However, Hodgson has revealed that the striker is far from certain to feature in the Hamburg showpiece. "Bobby stands a chance, but he's not making vast progress on a daily basis," he said.

"He's touch and go. Damien's been suffering from a slight problem for a while. He took a kick a while ago and it might be cramping up one of his muscles.

"We don't think it's a muscle tear - the kick he took is somehow switching the muscle off - but we'll see how his recovery goes with a week before the final."

Neither player is expected to be risked for Fulham's final game of the season, at Arsenal on Sunday. Fulham had their request for the fixture to be rescheduled for Saturday turned down by the Premier League.

Should the visitors claim three points at The Emirates, Tottenham Hotspur would claim third place - and a guaranteed spot in next season's Champions League Group Stage - if they defeat Burnley at Turf Moor.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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