Duff to start Europa League final

Republic of Ireland winger Damien Duff has recovered from a knock to start for Fulham in tonight’s Europa League final against Atletico Madrid.

Fulham striker Bobby Zamora has also been included in the starting line-up.

Zamora, the club’s top scorer with 19 goals, was struggling with an Achilles injury and failed to train last night but was passed fit to face the favourites.

Chris Baird has been preferred at right-back ahead of John Pantsil for the biggest match in the club’s 131-year history.

Unfancied Fulham defied the odds all season to reach the final but face an Atletico side containing the likes of Sergio Aguero, Jose Antonio Reyes and Diego Forlan.

Atletico Madrid: De Gea, Ujfalusi, Perea, Dominguez, Antonio Lopez, Reyes, Paulo Assuncao, Raul Garcia, Simao, Forlan, Aguero.

Subs: Joel, Valera, Camacho, Jurado, Salvio, Juanito, Cabrera.

Fulham: Schwarzer, Baird, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky, Duff, Etuhu, Murphy, Davies, Gera, Zamora.

Subs: Zuberbuhler, Pantsil, Nevland, Riise, Dempsey, Greening, Dikgacoi.

Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy).