Source: PA
Zamora can fire Fulham to safety - Hangeland
Brede Hangeland has backed Bobby Zamora to fire Fulham into the top half of the Barclays Premier League table following his return to action.
Zamora made his first appearance in five months against Bolton on Sunday after recovering from the broken leg he suffered in September. The England international, who scored 19 goals for Fulham last season, could not claw back the equaliser as Bolton booked an FA Cup quarter-final trip to Birmingham.
But Fulham's attentions now turn to the league, where they sit in 12th position after a run of just one defeat in eight Premiership outings. Although Mark Hughes' side are just four points above the relegation zone, Hangeland believes they can start looking upwards now Zamora is back.
"It was great to have him back and everyone knows how important he is to the team," Hangeland told fulhamfc.com. "He's been out for five months, which is a long time - so it was a big moment for him. I thought he did really well.
"He looked focused and there weren't any signs that he had been away for the time he had. Sometimes when a player makes a comeback from a long injury he can be a little cautious, and rightly so. But Bobby didn't have that. He won some important challenges, held the ball up well and got into a couple of dangerous positions. He's had a difficult time, but he can put that all behind him now.
"We have a lot of football to play in the league, and Bobby's return is a massive boost for us in terms helping to achieve our goal of finishing in the top half of the table. You want to have your best players fit and firing, and Bobby is one of them. I'm sure he will be determined to play his part throughout the remainder of the season."
