Source: Team_Talk
Hodgson concern over Clint fitness
The news will come as a major blow to the Cottagers' hopes of salvaging something from their season after Bobby Zamora was ruled out for up to two months with a shoulder problem.[LNB]Hodgson said: "Clint will be scanned on Monday but we feel it might be a posterior cruciate knee ligament which would be very bad for us and he would be out for a while.[LNB]"It's a concern up front because Clint Dempsey is very useful for us but now with both he and Bobby out it makes us a bit weaker in that area than we'd like to be."[LNB]However Hodgson admitted his growing injury list - also including Paul Konchesky, who was pulled off with an ankle problem at half-time at Ewood Park - will not lead to a transfer window spree.[LNB]Hodgson added: "It's a very difficult market at the moment. There's not many players who are moving about and we will be very limited in what we can spend.[LNB]"I'm a little bit reluctant to go and spend money on a player who maybe in the long term might not make us better. We will get players back and maybe we just have to accept that."[LNB]Blackburn took the lead in somewhat fortuitous circumstances after 25 minutes of Sunday's Premier League clash when the ball deflected in off Christopher Samba, then added a second through captain Ryan Nelsen nine minutes into the second period.[LNB]Hodgson had complaints over Rovers' second goal, which he believed was offside, and also thought Fulham could have had a penalty, but accepted Blackburn were worthy winners.[LNB]He added: "At one point we looked good value for an equaliser but they got their second goal. Overall I can't begrudge Blackburn their victory - they got stronger as the game went on."[LNB]Delighted Rovers boss Sam Allardyce admitted everyone around the club had felt the build-up of pressure as they went into the game without a win in nine league games.[LNB]Allardyce said: "The pressure is felt by all of us, no-one more than the players and staff. We are more tense and nervous than anyone else and we have to accept that as a challenge.[LNB]"They were a really pleasing three points because the pitch was not in the best condition, the opposition were very good and were are in the middle of three games in six days.[LNB]"The importance of going a goal in front was clear for all to see. Then we scored the second at the right time and we managed to play the game out very comfortably."[LNB]Allardyce had particular words of praise for Benni McCarthy whose set-pieces set up both goals but admitted he remains wary of over-playing the South African.[LNB]Allardyce added: "Benni is a delicate situation because of the game scenario, so choosing his games is crucial for us. He has had some good performances for us but we need to be careful."[LNB][LNB]
