McKinlay to coach at Cottage

Fulham have signed midfielder Billy McKinlay, with manager Chris Coleman hoping he will play a key role in helping to bring through new young talent at Craven Cottage.

The 35-year-old Scot is expected to feature in the Fulham reserve side this season before taking up a coaching role. McKinlay was released by Leicester at the end of last season.

Coleman told the club’s official website, www.fulhamfc.com: “Billy’s come to do a specific job for us.

“We let a lot of our young lads go out on loan last season, as a result our reserve team suffered and a lot of the younger boys’ heads dropped.

“He’s under no illusions; he knows that his appearances for the first team will be few and far between.

“But we’re looking at him to be with the reserves and help bring the young lads through. He’s played at the top level and has a great way about him. Of course, if we need to call upon him, we know he won’t let us down.

“After this season he will be working on the coaching side so it’s a good signing for us.”

But Coleman still wants to sign two midfielders following the sale of Sean Davis to Tottenham and the loss of Junichi Inamoto and Martin Djetou, who were on loan with the club last season.

“It’s very important we bring in a couple of signings. We need a midfield player, probably two. I’ve got money to spend and I’m hopeful that we can make one signing soon, hopefully in the next week.”

Fulham had offered Davis a new deal and Coleman said: “I’m disappointed. I think he strung us along a little but he is going to Tottenham and we will get on with it.”

Coleman would also like to bring Inamoto and Djetou back to Craven Cottage.

Inamoto suffered a fractured leg playing for Japan against England in June but the injury is not as bad as first feared.

The Fulham boss said: “I hope he will not be out too long. I’m still hopeful we can bring him back and he could be right by the end of September.”

The position over Djetou is more complicated. The player is in dispute with his Italian club Parma and Coleman said: “It looks as though that is heading to court.

“I’d like to bring him back but we just don’t know how long it could take. Now we have lost Sean so that is three midfield players.

“We could still bring back Inamoto and Djetou or it could be two different players – and a striker.”