Hodgson makes Europe the priority

10 April 2010 10:25
Fulham boss Roy Hodgson will rest players without a second thought at Liverpool on Sunday after making the Europa League his top priority.[LNB] Hodgson's side return to Premier League action at Anfield for what will be their 55th game of a gruelling season which began with a Europa League qualifier against Vetra back in July.[LNB]The Cottagers' remarkable European campaign shows no sign of slowing after they beat Wolfsburg on Thursday night to set up a semi-final clash with Hamburg.[LNB]Should Hodgson's team progress to the final, they will end up playing 63 matches by the end of the season, by far the most of any team in the Premier League.[LNB]The results in Fulham's games against Wolves, Everton and Arsenal could have a significant impact on the standings at both ends of the table at the end of the season and West Ham have already lodged a complaint against Hodgson for fielding a depleted side against Hull.[LNB]A potential £25,000 fine will not deter Hodgson from sticking to his rotation policy, however.[LNB]He said: "The Wolfsburg game was our 54th of the season, so for any team that's a big ask and for a team like ours, who haven't had experience of European football, it's been very demanding on a small group of players.[LNB]"League survival was our priority. Now we have 41 points we've had a good season in the league and I honestly don't believe we'll be relegated now or reach the top places so the league must now take second place to the cup.[LNB]"We'll have to look at the situation on Sunday. We had one or two players pick up knocks in the Wolfsburg game but luckily we are getting more and more players back."[LNB]Simon Davies (rib), David Elm (virus) and Thursday's matchwinner Bobby Zamora (Achilles) are all doubts for Sunday's game, where Fulham will be hoping to cause an upset and come away with their first away win in the league since the first day of the season.[LNB]Brede Hangeland is confident that fatigue will not be a problem for Fulham against Rafael Benitez's side, who will be desperate to boost their chances of Champions League qualification with a win.[LNB]The defender said: "We have performed in league matches straight after playing in big European games so I'm confident we'll be able to do the same again on Sunday."

Source: Team_Talk