Coleman challenges van der Sar

Fulham manager Chris Coleman insists Edwin van der Sar will have to fight hard to win back his place in goal from Welsh veteran Mark Crossley.

The 35-year-old has kept two consecutive clean sheets against Birmingham in the Carling Cup and Tottenham in the Premiership, and Coleman will not promote van der Sar back to the first team on reputation alone.

"Whoever has the shirt, as long as they play well, they will hang onto it.
"It is the same across the board. Edwin understands that. It doesn't matter whether it is Edwin van der Sar or Andrew Cole.

"When somebody comes in and does well they stay there. I would be a hypocrite to leave him out and I'm not going to do that."

Van der Sar, signed from Italian giants Juventus three years ago after more than 100 appearances following nine seasons with Ajax Amsterdam, is out of contract with Fulham at the end of the season and is said to be keen on one last big pay-day with a free transfer.

Manchester United have been mentioned as one of the clubs interested in signing the goalkeeper who has over 90 caps for Holland and is still their number one choice.

Coleman has so far not been able to progress talks aimed at persuading him to sign on again at Craven Cottage and has said: "Edwin can't blame us in those circumstances if we look at other keepers."