Fulham FC

• Nickname:
• Founded:1879
• Manager:Mark Hughes

• Ground:
• Capacity:NaN

Cottagers face Barnes wait

18 Feb 2009 - 16:19:05

Click To Enlarge

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has admitted that loan signing Giles Barnes is still some way off full fitness and being able to make a major impact at Craven Cottage.

The 19-year-old forward has yet to feature since his arrival from Derby County, having faced a lengthy battle to overcome a serious knee injury last season.

Hodgson told his club's official website: "He came to the club after a long absence and is unfit.

"Our job is to get him fit and he's working hard to get fit, but I don't think you'll see Giles playing any major part in our play until he's fit enough.

"He might be able to play a bit part and come on for 10-15 minutes as a substitute, but if we're talking about him playing a serious role as a 90-minute player, then first of all we have to get him physically fit.

"In the short time he's been with us he's shown great aptitude and has worked well."