Cottagers waiting on Zamora fitness

FULHAM manager Roy Hodgson will not gamble on the fitness of striker Bobby Zamora in tonight’s Europa League semi-final second leg against Hamburg at Craven Cottage.

The 29-year-old – whose 19 goals this season have propelled him into contention for England’s World Cup squad – hobbled out of the first leg after he aggravated an achilles problem and missed the trip to Everton.

Zamora has not trained with the rest of the squad, instead continuing his fitness work with the Fulham medical team. And Hodgson admits it will be touch and go whether the striker is available tonight.

“Bobby is much improved and has done some work today with the physios, but we chose for him not to take part in the light training session we had,” said Hodgson.

“We just have to wait until tomorrow to have a 100% decision on whether or not he can play.

“Obviously we are concerned about the situation, because if he was fully fit, he would have been training for the last couple of days.”

Hodgson added: “He will have treatment again tomorrow, then go in front of our medical people, and I think by lunchtime I should know whether or not he has a chance of playing.

“He wants to play, but he wants to play as a fit player rather than play and in any way hamper our chances of doing well.”

Hamburg’s preparations have been disrupted by the decision to axe manager Bruno Labbadia after less than 10 months at the helm with his side lying seventh in the Bundesliga.

Ricardo Moniz, who had a spell working at Tottenham as part of Martin Jol’s coaching team, has been put in charge until the end of the season.

With the Germans having set their sights on a place in the Europa League final at their home ground next month, and with the likes of former Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy in the team, Hodgson does not expect the change in head coach will have a major impact.

“When you reach a game of this level, with the experience and quality of the Hamburg players, they will be capable of producing a very good performance, whomever the manager may be,” said the Fulham boss.

For his part, Moniz says his side will travel to Craven Cottage without fear.

He said: “There is no fear. I am only happy and just look where I can help – I have to be objective, I have to be neutral.

“It is a great experience for me, I can’t deny that.

“The players know me and I’m looking forward to it.”