Martin Jol is confident Dimitar Berbatov will be fit to face Norwich but will talk to the striker today before deciding whether he starts at Carrow Road.
Berbatov missed last week’s 1-0 defeat against former club Manchester United with a hamstring injury but has made good progress this week.
The 32-year-old underwent a fitness test yesterday and Jol will hold discussions with Berbatov and his medical staff before making a decision.
He said: “When he got his injury eight days ago, they said it would probably take a week so I am pretty confident he will make it. When he plays in the hole, he is probably one of the best players in the Premier League so you will always miss him.
“Whether he will start tomorrow? That is something we have to discuss with him and the medical staff.”
Bryan Ruiz filled the void left by Berbatov and the Costa Rica striker will be assessed today when he returns from international duty following a World Cup qualifier in Panama.
Jol confirmed Fulham will take up an option to make Sascha Riether’s loan move from Cologne a permanent one at the end of the season.
Cologne executive Jorg Jakobs says the defender does not have a future at the German club and Jol is confident of a deal.
He said: “There will be a decision to make but we have got time and I will talk to Sascha. If the player is happy it helps but we have got that option and even if he is not happy we will take that option!”
Jol also moved quickly to dismiss speculation linking Alex Kacaniklic with Dynamo Kiev.
The Ukrainian transfer window is still open and reports suggested Kiev had made a bid for winger, who signed a long‑term contract in the summer.
But Jol insists he is going nowhere and Kacaniklic, 21, appears to have committed his future to the Craven Cottage club.
He said: “Fulham are a brilliant club for a young player. I want to keep on doing what I have been doing and play as many games as I can.”
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