Zamora’s final fitness race

(GSM) – Fulham striker Bobby Zamora is hoping to be fit for the Europa League final against Atletico Madrid following a persistent injury problem.

The Cottagers’ frontman needed a pain-killing injection in his Achilles tendon to get him on the field in the semi-final showdown with Hamburger SV.

But Zamora was forced off in the early stages of the second half, and the 19-goal striker sat out Sunday’s 3-2 success over West Ham United.

The forward is not expected to feature against Stoke on Wednesday night, leaving only Sunday’s trip to Arsenal before the clash with Madrid in Hamburg on 12th May.

And manager Roy Hodgson accepts that the participation of his star striker in arguably the most important game in the club’s history remains in doubt.

“The medical team will need to work hard with him to ensure his fitness for the final,” he said.

Hodgson has called on his side to maintain their focus in the last two Premier League games of the season to ensure they head into the Europa League final in good form.

“Although it is difficult in the immediate aftermath of the semi-final against Hamburg to think of anything else but the meeting with Atletico Madrid that lies ahead, we must complete our domestic season,” he added.

“It is still a very real objective to finish in the top 10 and I believe it is healthy to retain this target.

“The remaining matches will play an important part in our mental and physical preparation for the final, so to maintain a winning mentality throughout would certainly be of benefit.”