Fulham Football Club News

• Nickname:Cottagers
• Founded:1879
• Manager:Martin Jol

• Ground:Craven Cottage
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Malbranque faces the axe

14 Aug 2006 - 07:33:47

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Fulham boss Chris Coleman has warned wantaway midfielder Steed Malbranque that the club could cancel his contract to bring the curtain down on his Craven Cottage career.

The 26-year-old has refused to sign a new deal with the Cottagers and now requires surgery on a groin injury, meaning he is unlikely to secure a move before the transfer window shuts at the end of the month.

Coleman told The Sun: "The op that would keep him out for just a few weeks wouldn't jeopardise a move. The other would keep him out for three months, so clubs are not going to buy him.

"I wouldn't rule out cancelling his contract. As long as I am picking the team he won't be playing.

"We have offered him a lucrative long-term contract and a short-term contract, but he did not want either. We don't want him to go for free."

Malbranque joined Fulham for £5million from Lyon in the summer of 2001.