Fulham swoop for Sidwell

Mark Hughes is keen to revitalise the career of Steve Sidwell at Fulham, but warned Blackburn to forget about signing Damien Duff.

According to Hughes, Sidwell is set to complete a move from Aston Villa to the West London club within the next week.

One of the stars of the Reading team that gained promotion to the Premier League in 2006, Sidwell’s career has stagnated following his move to Chelsea in 2007.

But Hughes now intends to help the player recapture his best form.

“We are just waiting for a little bit of documentation. He has passed his medical, no problems there. It’s just ticking all the boxes really,” Hughes said.

“He is a player I have admired for some time. We moved quickly when we felt there was a possibility that we might lose Steve.”

“This was his first choice. He is a young man who wants to get back on track, start playing football again. He has a good reputation in the game, well admired, a box-to-box player who can get you a goal. He’ll be fine for us.”

“His family are based around here but it is not a lifestyle choice. He wants to be part of what we are doing here. He wants to get his career back on track.”

Fulham take on League One side Peterborough in the FA Cup on Saturday, with Republic of Ireland international Damien Duff set to feature.

The former Chelsea winger has been linked with a return to Blackburn Rovers, but Hughes insists he is going nowhere.

“He’s not available,” Hughes said.

“He’s very much part of what we are doing. Allowing a player of the quality of Damien Duff to leave would be bad management. I’m not about to do that.”