Source: Daily_Mail
Fulham boss Hodgson hoping Murphy can go the distance in Europa clash
Roy Hodgson is desperately hoping that Danny Murphy can last 90 minutes against CSKA Sofia after injuries and suspensions have left the Fulham manager short of options for tonight's crucial Europa League clash.[LNB] Murphy has not played since injuring a knee against Hull six weeks ago and, with Jonathan Greening suspended for the Group E tie, the return of Fulham's influential captain could not be more timely. Hodgson's side will be eliminated if they lose and Roma pick up a point at home to Basle.[LNB] back in business: Fulham's Danny Murphy[LNB] Bobby Zamora will also start after missing the draw against Bolton with a groin problem. But Hodgson is without the suspended duo of Erik Nevland and Paul Konchesky. Andy Johnson, Diomansy Kamara and Dickson Etuhu are short of fitness while the likes of Eddie Johnson, Seol Ki-Hyeon and Kagisho Dikgacoi are ineligible.[LNB] Hodgson said: 'From the usual first-team squad we are down to about 12 or 13 players and we will make up the rest from the development squad.[LNB] 'We expected Bobby Zamora to be fit for this one. Danny Murphy will start the game and hopefully play for as long as possible.'[LNB] Hodgson has been impressed with the way his side have coped, not only with the absence of Murphy, but also with the extra demands posed by European football. But he is delighted to have a player of Murphy's calibre back in the fold. [LNB]He said: 'For me he is one of the best around. In the two years I have been at the club he has been excellent in every respect. As a playmaker type of central midfielder, he has done that job perfectly.'[LNB] CSKA have travelled without their manager, Luboslav Penev, who is barred from leaving Bulgaria because of a legal wrangle over an alleged £1million bank debt. Hodgson has called on players to make referees lives easier by being more honest.[LNB] FIFA yesterday dismissed the idea of two extra officials at the World Cup and Hodgson saw the system fall down when Brede Hangeland was ordered off against Roma in the Europa League on an extra official's word before Stephen Kelly was dismissed after the error was corrected.[LNB] Hodgson said: 'Trying to make things perfect is never going to be easy, but we have got to strive for a situation where a referee makes as few mistakes as possible. An area that could be debated is whether players themselves could help the referee out and not keep their mouths shut.' [LNB] Jones racing to be fit for Fulham clash after injury on Sunderland comebackSportsmail asks football's leading figures who they would pay £40 to see[LNB] [LNB] Explore more:People:Jonathan Greening, Paul Konchesky, Stephen Kelly, Brede Hangeland, Bobby Zamora, Danny MurphyPlaces:Bulgaria
