Fulham fear over Bobby Zamora for Europa clash

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David Smith11 April 2012

Fulham top-scorer Bobby Zamora is a major doubt for tomorrow's Europa League match against Hamburg at Craven Cottage, the biggest game in the London club's history.

The persistent Achilles tendon injury has failed to respond to treatment meaning he is unlikely to play in the semi-final, second leg and it is also bound to throw a cloud over Zamora's hopes of a call up to the England World Cup squad.

The 29-year-old Londoner limped out of last week's goalless draw in the first leg in Hamburg, and he missed Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Premier League rivals Everton.

Manager Roy Hodgson revealed that Zamora was unable to play a full part in today's final training session and was forced to work alone.

If Zamora, who has scored 19 goals this season, fails to make the starting line-up then American Clint Dempsey can expect to partner Zoltan Gera in attack.

Hodgson said: "We were hoping Bobby would train with the team today but the medical and sports science people preferred to keep him with them and to give him a controlled test.

"The outcome of that is that the jury is still out as to whether or not he will be able to play tomorrow.

"There's a long time between now and the game so we're not prepared at this moment to say he's unfit."

Hodgson admitted he was disappointed with progress in Zamora's treatment.

He added: "In an ideal world, Bobby would have been fitter much quicker. When he left the field against Hamburg in Germany, I was really quite confident then that this would not last as long as it has. The injury is obviously more serious than we anticipated. The decision on whether he plays or not will be taken between the medical and sports science people, myself and Bobby.

"Bobby is desperate to play. There's no question of that. He wants to play tomorrow not for personal reasons, he wants to play because he wants to help the team, his team-mates and the club do well."

Zamora has been in sensational form as Fulham made their remarkable march through Europe, scoring eight goals in 15 Europa League appearances.

But Hodgson insisted that he will not risk his star player if there is any chance he would have to come off early.

He said: "Before I make any decision I want to be sure that if he plays there is no danger to the player and there's a good chance he will get through the game."

Zamora's form had put him in contention for a call up to Fabio Capello's England squad. But the possible need for an operation could wreck his dream of a trip to South Africa.

Hodgson added: "I'm not saying an operation is an absolute must. All I'm saying is that when the time is right, because it is a minor cleaning up operation, he might choose to have it to be 100 per cent certain it will be okay for next season.

"If anything happens like a call up to England I'm sure that will put a different complexion on the matter and it may be would provoke a different decision."

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