Source: Daily_Mail
Fulham arrange friendlies to get Andy Johnson fit
[LNB]Back in training: Andy Johnson will play in specially arranged friendlies [LNB]Fulham have organised a series of friendlies behind closed doors to help striker Andy Johnson get back to full fitness following his eight-month injury layoff.[LNB]Johnson returned to first team training this week after being out since January with a knee injury which he picked up against Blackburn.[LNB]Fulham boss Mark Hughes revealed the measures laid out to help the return of the £10.5million man, who underwent an operation performed by world-renowned surgeon Dr Richard Steadman earlier this year, after Saturday's goal-less draw with Everton.[LNB]'Andy is joining in with the senior squad and we've got matches, behind closed doors, organised for his benefit in the coming weeks,' said Hughes. [LNB]'Hopefully he'll get through them okay and he'll be an option, albeit initially on the bench.'[LNB]Johnson's return will be a welcome boost to Hughes, who has seen his striking options reduced thanks to recent injuries to Mousa Dembele and Bobby Zamora.[LNB]Dembele, who has scored three goals since arriving from AZ Alkmaar this summer, is out for at least a fortnight with an ankle injury while England striker Zamora is expected to be out until February with a broken leg.[LNB]Hughes also hopes that backup strikers Eddie Johnson and Diomansy Kamara can step up to the plate in the duo's absence.[LNB] Fox in the box: Hughes hopes to have Johnson back bothering defences within weeks Hughes hopeful Schwarzer signs new Fulham deal despite Arsenal interestFulham are more stylish now under new boss Hughes, insists KamaraFulham's forgotten man Johnson returns to training in club strike boostFULHAM FC
