Fulham hit by double-injury blow

Mark Hughes has a double-injury headache ahead of Fulham’s trip to title-chasing Manchester City on Sunday.

New midfield signing Steve Sidwell is definitely out and England striker Bobby Zamora, who has just recovered from a broken leg, picked up a knock in training on Friday and is doubtful.

“We’ve lost Sidwell for four weeks with a knee ligament problem and I expect he will be out for three to four games,” Hughes said.

“Zamora did his ankle in training. He just tweaked it and we have iced it, so we are hopeful it will not be too bad.”

City won 4-1 at Craven Cottage in November but Hughes says a lot has changed in the months following that humbling.

“Our away form has definitely improved and we have been more dynamic and on the front foot,” he said.

“The only disappointment is that we have drawn a lot of games.”

“If we had converted those into wins we would be comfortably in the top half of the table which is where we should be.”

Hughes goes back to Manchester for first time since being sacked in December 2009 and admits it will be an emotional occasion.

“Everybody has moved on since then and I am not really bitter,” he said.

“It was one of those things that happens and although I was disappointed at the time, there is no point being bitter.”

“I have moved on since then and City have also moved on.”

“It will be an emotional return for me.”

“We have improved since that defeat last year, both in terms of results and performance, and we hope to make a better fist of it this time.”

Speaking about his controversial sacking, Hughes said: “I was on track to reach the targets I was set but maybe unbeknown to me the targets shifted.”

“When the new owners arrived our target was a top-six spot and I have no doubt in my mind we would have made it.”

“The plan was to be challenging for the title within two years, and that is where they are now.”

“It is not for me to judge but they are very strong in terms of making inroads into the Champions League spots. They will go very close this season.”

Back problems have also ruled out Philippe Senderos and Diomansy Kamara.