Roy Hodgson has described Jari Litmanen as the 'most unlucky' footballer he has encountered.
Fulham forward suffers new setback
Roy Hodgson has described Jari Litmanen as the 'most unlucky' footballer he has encountered after the Finn suffered a fresh setback.
Litmanen has yet to play a first-team game for Fulham, having been hampered by various problems since joining the club in January.
Fulham boss Hodgson had been hoping the veteran forward would be able to play some part in the club's battle to stay in the Premier League.
But, following a training ground incident involving goalkeeper Ricardo Batista, Litmanen is unlikely to feature in Saturday's match at Manchester City.
Knocked for six
"Litmanen is the most unlucky fellow I have come across in football," said Hodgson.
"He was training on Monday and due to play a practice match the next day when Batista, who I must say is a very fearsome kicker of the ball, managed to smash it into the back of his head from about four yards.
"It was like a missile, knocking him over and putting him out for the week. It's not a long-term thing, but it's knocked him for six.
"Jari has been very unfortunate.
"When I first went to the Finnish FA he was standing next to his sporting director at Malmo who opened a can of coke and the top popped into Jari's eye."
Hodgson had previously been critical of Litmanen, with the former Liverpool man having played twice for Finland since pitching up at Craven Cottage.
