Speculation is rife around Craven Cottage that striker Bobby Zamora could be due to make an earlier than expected return from injury.

 

Zamora dislocated his collarbone whilst playing against Stoke in early January and he was expected to be out of action for at least a couple of months. However, he could be involved in first team action very quickly, even possibly in the FA Cup against Accrington Stanley or against former club Spurs next week. According to reports, the injury did not require surgery and the news will be welcomed by boss Roy Hodgson and Fulham fans alike.

Fulham’s England Under-21 international defender Chris Smalling has been attracting interest from other quarters with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger refusing to rule out a move for the 20 year-old. The former Maidstone player who is now rated at around £7M is not the only Fulham player to be linked with a move across London with Brede Hangeland also on Wenger’s radar. However, no formal approach for either has yet been made.  

Another young player in the news is goalkeeper David Stockdale who has joined Plymouth on a month’s loan. The player recently committed his future to Craven Cottage until 2013 and the chance for first-team experience will be vital.