Source: Team_Talk
Johnson pencilled in for friendly action
Fulham have organised a series of friendlies 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 goalless draw with Everton[LNB]"Andy [Johnson] is joining in with the senior squad and we've got matches, behind closed doors, organised for his benefit in the coming weeks," Hughes told the club's official website.[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 back-up strikers Eddie Johnson and Diomansy Kamara can step up to the plate in the duo's absence.
