New Fulham boss Roy Hodgson will be without defender Aaron Hughes (calf) for the New Year’s Day clash with west London neighbours Chelsea at Craven Cottage.

Fulham are without Moritz Volz for tomorrow’s Premier League clash with Birmingham.

Midfielder Alexei Smertin (muscle problem) and full-back Moritz Volz (shoulder, groin and foot problems) are back in training but will not feature in Fulham’s home game with Newcastle tomorrow.

Fulham midfielder Alexey Smertin will miss tomorrow’s Barclays Premiership clash with Everton because of a muscle problem.

Fulham full-back Moritz Volz played for the reserves this week but is still building up his fitness and is not expected to feature in the Barclays Premier League clash at Manchester United on Monday.

Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez wants to see consistency from Danny Murphy through the season before deciding whether to reward the midfielder with a new contract.

Fulham have no fresh injury worries ahead of Sunday’s home game with Blackburn.

Carlos Bocanegra returns from suspension to face Liverpool this weekend, but Elliott Omozusi must serve a ban after his sending off last week against Reading.

Fulham are missing suspended defender Paul Konchesky for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League clash with Sunderland.

Fulham will be without striker Collins John for tomorrow’s Barclays Premier League visit of Derby, after the Dutchman was struck down by a fever.

Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez has handed a huge vote of confidence to goalkeeper Kasey Keller ahead of Sunday’s match against Portsmouth.

Fulham boss Lawrie Sanchez is likely to keep faith with an unchanged team for Sunday’s home game against Portsmouth.

Fulham will be without defender Moritz Volz for tomorrow’s derby with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge as the German has a groin problem.

Aaron Hughes is available to make his Fulham debut against Wigan tomorrow after overcoming an ankle injury.

Antti Niemi returns from a wrist injury and will start in goal for Fulham against Tottenham.

Fulham defender Aaron Hughes will miss Sunday’s Premier League clash with Arsenal because of an ankle injury.

Fulham new-boy Lee Cook has vowed to prove his worth in the Barclays Premier League after completing his protracted transfer from QPR this week.

Portsmouth have dropped out of the race for Kenyan international McDonald Mariga after manager Harry Redknapp learned it would be tough to obtain a British work permit for the £1.7 million-rated striker.

Dion Dublin has ended speculation about his future by signing a new one-year contract with Norwich.

Crystal Palace have allowed goalkeeper Gabor Kiraly to leave the club at the end of his contract.

QPR 1 Preston 0

Southend boosted their hopes of Coca-Cola Championship survival and completed a miserable week for QPR with a 5-0 rout at Roots Hall.

Southend continued their remarkable Coca-Cola Championship revival as QPR crashed to an eighth straight away defeat at Roots Hall.

David Jones’ injury-time free-kick hauled Derby level on points with Coca-Cola Championship leaders Birmingham as they claimed a 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Pride Park.

DARYL MURPHY and Grant Leadbitter fired Sunderland to a deserved win over QPR as Roy Keane’s side continued their steady rise up the Coca-Cola Championship table.

Cardiff 0 QPR 1

QPR 0 Coventry 1

Sheffield Wednesday manager Paul Sturrock hopes his side can follow the Queens Park Rangers formula as they target a first Coca-Cola Championship win tomorrow.

Ashley Ward believes Sheffield United are just beginning to reap the rewards for their impressive start to the season.

Lee Cook has rejected a new contract at Watford to sign for boyhood club QPR.

Chelsea 4 Watford 0

Chelsea 4 Watford 0

Watford 2 Chelsea 2