Coleman accepts Boa Morte absence

Fulham manager Chris Coleman has resigned himself to beginning the new Premiership campaign without Luis Boa Morte.

The Cottagers midfielder has landed a spot in Portugal’s squad for next month’s Olympic Games and could be missing for fixtures against Manchester City, Bolton, Middlesbrough and Portsmouth.

But Coleman – who yesterday completed the signing of Tomasz Radzinski and Claus Jensen – admits there is little he can do to prevent the 26-year-old former Arsenal ace from boarding the plane to Athens.

“We’re going to lose Boa for a while, which is not ideal. I didn’t want him to go to the Olympics but I have to accept his wishes,” he said.

“He was upset at missing out on Portugal’s squad for Euro 2004 but he’s been called up for the Olympics and he wants to go. There’s nothing we can do about that except hope Portugal get knocked out in the first round!

“He’s an important player for us – he has tremendous pace and strength and will be sorely missed.”

The saga over Junichi Inamoto’s permanent move to Fulham rumbles on with Coleman refusing to meet Gamba Osaka’s valuation of the Japanese midfielder, who is currently on loan at Craven Cottage.

“Ina’s club want too much money as far as I’m concerned and I’m not willing to pay that much. He has a year left on his contract,” said Coleman.

“He did very well last year. He was in and out but when he was playing he did a very good job for us. He’s a good squad player with a great attitude.

“He has integrated well into the changing room and is very popular among the lads. We’re interested in bringing him back, but only at the right price.”

Jensen and Radzinski join Andy Cole as the new faces at Craven Cottage with Coleman looking to recruit one more midfielder before the transfer window closes.

The defence will remain unstrengthened this summer but Coleman believes he already boasts ample resources in that department.

“I’m more than satisfied with my defence. I’ve been offered defenders all summer and some of them have been good,” he said.

“But I’m very happy with what I’ve got at the back. We have experience, a bit of youth, one or two leaders and pace.

“Last season we kept 15 clean sheets which is a good achievement in the Premiership.”