Dembele to miss only two or three weeks

Fulham coach Mark Hughes revealed on Friday that Belgian international forward Moussa Dembele will be out for only two to three weeks, allaying fears of an extended lay-off.

Dembele, a five-million-pound (5.87 million euros) close-season signing from AZ Alkmaar, was hurt in a tackle by Andy Wilkinson in Fulham’s 2-0 League Cup defeat at Stoke on Tuesday.

He was taken off on a stretcher and Hughes branded Wilkinson’s challenge “absolutely ridiculous”, but scans revealed that Dembele had only suffered minor ankle ligament damage.

“Moussa had a scan after the initial impact of the injury had settled down,” said Hughes.

“At the moment it looks like he’ll be out for two to three weeks. He should be fit and well after the international break.

“The challenge was unnecessary and we’re thankful the injury isn’t more serious than it is.”

Dembele’s absence means Fulham are short of strikers for Saturday’s home game with Everton.

First-choice frontman Bobby Zamora is out for around five months with a broken leg, while Andy Johnson is not yet ready to return following a knee problem.