Fulham Football Club News

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• Founded:1879
• Manager:Martin Jol

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Hodgson fears AJ setback

30 Nov 2009 - 15:03:59

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Fulham manager Roy Hodgson fears that Andrew Johnson may not return to first-team action for some time after suffering a setback in his recovery from a groin injury.

The 28-year-old former Birmingham City, Crystal Palace and Everton forward has already been sidelined for more than eight weeks but broke down in training on Friday.

He will now have an exploratory operation to try to get to the bottom of the problem.

Hodgson said: "I fear he'll be out for some time. There have been days we think he's cracked it. Then the next day he has no manageable pain.

"He's forced to go back inside again when the rest of the squad are training and that was the case on Friday and the day before.

"That has prompted us, after the numerous scans and alternative medicine, to operate and go into the area where he is suffering the pain in the hope of finding out what it is and put it right."