Symons to step into the breach against United

Fulham face the daunting prospect of having to tackle Manchester United just days after the shock news that their captain Chris Coleman was badly injured in a car crash.

Coleman is out for the rest of the season after breaking his leg in three places in the accident and the Cottagers must quickly readjust to thinking about football.

Coleman's absence means that Kit Symons is likely to fill in at the back but manager Jean Tigana also has other problems to worry about.

John Collins (hamstring) and Sean Davis (suspension) are definitely out and there are serious doubts over Lee Clark (foot) and Barry Hayles (Achilles).

On-loan pair Luis Boa Morte and Nicolas Sahnoun are both set to start. Despite the concerns, the Division One pacesetters are looking forward to pitting their wits against Premiership opposition once again, just a few weeks after their Worthington Cup tie with Liverpool.

Defender Rufus Brevett said: "We played very well against Liverpool in the Worthington Cup and that was a big test. Now we have to play against the very best.

"But we play a certain way and we won't change that no matter who we are playing."

Sir Alex Ferguson has to decide whether or not to recall fit-again leading scorer Teddy Sheringham for Manchester United's trip to west London on Sunday.

Dwight Yorke or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would have to make way to accommodate the return of Sheringham.

Paul Scholes is a doubtful starter after limping out of the 3-1 New Year's Day win over West Ham but Denis Irwin returns from an ankle injury and Luke Chadwick is available after serving a one-match ban.