Fulham boss Roy Hodgson feels Jari Litmanen can play a part in the battle to avoid relegation.
Fulham boss boosted by return of Finn
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson believes Jari Litmanen can play a crucial part in the battle to avoid Premier League relegation following the striker's return to training.
Litmanen joined the Cottagers in January as he linked up with his former Finland boss Hodgson, but he was forced to return to his homeland after suffering an injury problem.
However, the former Ajax, Barcelona and Liverpool forward has now returned to first-team training with Fulham - much to the delight of Hodgson.
"To know Jari Litmanen as I did, having worked with him, and to know we could get him here was just a great joker to play in our pack," Hodgson told Fulham's
official website.
"At the moment because he hasn't been fully able to get himself fit to figure it's not been a fortunate joker but still a good one to have around.
Enthusiastic
"You can't have too many front players. They're the ones that injuries happen to and they lose form so you can never have too many going into a situation like we are.
"I'm delighted to have Jari around. He was out there playing with his usual enthusiasm. He's certainly not match fit but he might just get there."
Hodgson has also hinted that he may look to extend Litmanen's short-term contract beyond the end of the season.
"He's contracted until the end of the season and then we'll take a further assessment of the situation and talk to him again," added Hodgson.
"Who knows - maybe he'll be fit and we'll like what we see and want to keep him for next season."
