Fulham duo on way back

Steve Finnan and Alain Goma are expected to return from injury to shore up Fulham’s defence for the Premiership showdown with Manchester United at Loftus Road tomorrow.

Finnan has been out for three weeks with a medial knee ligament injury. The Republic of Ireland right-back missed Wednesday’s shock 2-1 defeat against Switzerland.

Centre-half Goma has also been out for three weeks, with a pulled hamstring - but both players should be fit as Jean Tigana’s men bid to extend their unbeaten streak at their temporary home.

However, star striker Louis Saha has suffered an injury relapse – after accusing the club of rushing him back too soon.

The French forward sustained a hamstring problem against Tottenham on September 11 – and has suffered a complication which will sideline him for another three or four weeks.

Centre-back Martin Djetou, who signed on a year-long loan from Parma in July but immediately needed a knee cartilage operation, made his debut for the reserves in midweek and is a fortnight away from his first-team bow.

Japan’s Junichi Inamoto and Jamaica’s Barry Hayles have reported back fit from Wednesday’s 1-1 international friendly in Tokyo.

PROVISIONAL SQUAD: Van der Sar, Finnan, Ouaddou, Brevett, Knight, Melville, Goma, Davis, Inamoto, Malbranque, Legwinski, Marlet, Sava, Taylor, Boa Morte, Hayles.