Kelly targets Cottage return

Stephen Kelly was back in the starting line-up at Craven Cottage with his country this week and now the 29-year-old is hoping to do the same with his club.

Kelly started in the Republic of Ireland’s 4-1 friendly victory over Oman in west London on Tuesday but has yet to start a Premier League game for Fulham this season.

That’s a situation the versatile defender is keen to change — starting today against high-flying West Brom.

“It was good to get 90 minutes under my belt,” Kelly said of his midweek exertions. “I feel fit, that’s never really been a problem with me. I’m champing at the bit to get a game and the chance to show what I can do.

“It was extremelydisappointing not to start the season as first-choice. I felt on the back end of last season and how I did in pre-season I would’ve been given an opportunity as I felt it was my place to lose. That wasn’t to be so all I can do is perform well in training and when I get my chance I’ve got to take it.”

The Cottagers started the season with a 5-0 win over Norwich but have since lost 3-2 at Manchester United before a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to West Ham.

Kelly hopes those defeat’s could prompt manager Martin Jol to make changes today.

“We’re on the back of two losses so you never know what’s going to happen,” he told the Fulham website. “My record last season spoke for itself. We were unbeaten for a long time so hopefully I’ll get an opportunity to come back in.

“It’s going to be a good test because they always play well against us. It’s not going to be an easy one and we need to bounce back. Three points isn’t too bad a start to the season, going away to Man United no one expected us to get anything but against West Ham we under-performed and never stood up to the physical aspect of it.

“We didn’t play well but we need to put things right and get back on track.”

If Kelly does get the nod to start, he’s looking forward to doing battle with international team-mate Shane Long, who is set to lead the line for the Baggies.

“I know him well and know his game,” Kelly said. “I’ll be telling our defenders all about him. He’s in very good form and causes people problems with his pace and his aerial ability.

“He chases things down other centre-forwards would leave. The lads have been around long enough to know what to expect.

“Longy’s a good friend and we’ve been together for a couple of weeks. It’s always interesting when you play against them straight away but when you cross the white line friends become enemies.”

Dimitar Berbatov could make his first start for Fulham after his deadline-day switch from Old Trafford.

“Dimitar’s a very good footballer and hopefully he will add to the team,’’ Kelly said of the Bulgarian. “It’s going to be interesting to see how these players gel and settle in over the next couple of months but his quality is there. We all know what he’s capable of.”

Steve Clarke, meanwhile, insists West Brom’s flying start to the campaign is no fluke as they search for the win at Craven Cottage which could take them to the top of the Premier League.

The Baggies have collected seven points from their opening three games and would move into pole position should they triumph and Chelsea and Swansea slip up at QPR and Aston Villa respectively.

Clarke said: “Has the start exceeded my expectations? No. I’m an optimistic person. I knew if we prepared properly for the games, we could get a good points total. As a coach and as a professional, I targeted nine. But I think seven is a fair return when you look at our performances.”