Fulham move not a done deal

Fulham today denied any decision had been made about who they plan to groundshare with next season.

Reports suggested that a deal had been struck to play at Queen's Park Rangers' Loftus Road ground while Craven Cottage is being redeveloped, but West Ham's Upton Park remains a possibility.

Manager Jean Tigana, whose team beat Southampton 2-1 on Saturday, has been to inspect facilities and pitches at both stadiums and an announcement is duewithin the next few weeks. A club spokesman said: "We have come to no conclusion yet as to where we will play next season."

The decision has been delayed by the protracted takeover of QPR by a City-based consortium and the possibility of hold-ups for the £70million redevelopment to turn Craven Cottage into a 30,000-seat ground because of on-going legal proceedings.

But the club are committed to groundsharing next season because after this campaign they will no longer be allowed to use the terracing they have on three sides of their ground. Their players and fans will have the chance to inspect Upton Park on Saturday when they face West Ham, hoping of course to build on last weekend's second win in the top flight.

Two first-half goals in eight minutes from midfielder Steed Malbranque sealed the points against Southampton.

He struck on 25 and 33 minutes with Saints striker James Beattiescoring in between. Fellow Fulham midfielder John Collins said: "We need to string three or four wins together nowandwe're more than capable of doing that.

"We only scored two against Southampton, but it should have been seven. I have said all along we should only start worrying if we're not creating chances and playing poorly because that is when the confidence really goes.

"The fact we scored two was good and will give the boys a lot of confidence. Hopefully, that will act as a springboard."