The Cottagers have just one player on the injured list as they prepare to face Steve Bruce’s side.
Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic
Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic has provided a fitness update on his squad to the club’s official website, and it is primarily good news for the West London outfit.
The Cottagers have just a solitary player – defender Tomas Kalas – absent for the trip to the Midlands and they welcome back midfielder Tom Cairney, whose absence was felt in the midweek draw with Norwich.
Fulham’s Tom Cairney
“The only problem is with Tomas and we expect next week he can be available to start working with us,” Jokanovic said.
“Tom Cairney is working with us,” he continued. “He wasn’t ready for the last game but we believe he can be ready for the game that is in front of us.”
Floyd Ayite is also back in contention for Jokanovic’s side. The Togolese winger joined Fulham in the summer and was a regular feature in the opening weeks of the season, but has been absent since mid-September.
Fulham’s players celebrate
“We’re going to assess him and choose what we believe is the best for him and for us, immediately or in the next game,” Jokanovic said. “He’s going to be available soon to help us.”
Fulham make the trip to Villa Park in indifferent form; last weekend’s win over Barnsley is their only victory in their last nine games in all competitions.
The Cottagers battled back well to claim a point from 2-0 down against high-flying Norwich in midweek and will require similar levels of resolve against an Aston Villa side boosted by the arrival of new manager Steve Bruce.
Hugo Rodallega scored Fulham’s winner on their last trip to Villa Park
Travelling supporters will have fond memories of their most recent trip to Villa Park. Hugo Rodallega’s winner four minutes from time secured a 2-1 win for the visitors in April 2014, but Fulham were ultimately relegated at the end of the campaign and Saturday represents their first clash with Villa since that day.
In fact, this weekend’s meeting is the first time these two sides have faced each other outside the top flight since 1975. With both in need of the points as they look to climb the table, it is set to be an intriguing afternoon.
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