Dacourt's an old dog with new tricks

Olivier Dacourt always gloried in being what he called a "guard dog" footballer, but he wants to see out his career at Fulham wearing a smile rather than a snarl.

The hard-tackling midfielder has moved on loan from Inter Milan and goes straight into Roy Hodgson's squad that will seek a first League away win of the season at Wigan.

The former Leeds and Everton player is relishing his return to the English game, particularly as the 34-year-old accepts his playing days are numbered.

Dacourt said: "I have come for four months to enjoy myself, to have fun, and after that I will see. Maybe I will quit football."

He almost did that last year after sustaining a serious knee ligament injury. Dacourt recalled: "At the time I wanted to quit because I was out for so long.

"I came back with the support of my family and my friends, and I wanted to prove I could still play football. But I didn't have the chance."

That is because Inter's former Chelsea boss, Jose Mourinho, had filled the void created by the Frenchman's absence.

Dacourt has played just once for Inter this season but insisted: "Throughout my career I've been at big clubs and I have nothing to prove to anyone, just to myself that I can still play after the injury to my knee. I know I will need some games to be fit, but I am not worried about that. I just want to enjoy playing again, because football is my passion."

Hodgson received assurances about Dacourt's fitness from close contacts at Inter, the Italian side he took to the 1997 UEFA Cup Final. He said: "They told me not to have any fears in that respect. "

With Dickson Etuhu and Danny Murphy having established a good working relationship in Fulham's midfield following the departure of Jimmy Bullard, Dacourt will start on the bench tomorrow.