Fulham boss Mark Hughes has put his faith in Moussa Dembele to lead the line in Bobby Zamora's absence.
Cottagers admits big onus on Belgian to deliver
Fulham boss Mark Hughes has put his faith in Moussa Dembele to lead the line in Bobby Zamora's injury-enforced absence.
Zamora will miss several months of the season after breaking his leg during the Cottagers' win over Wolves last weekend.
With Andy Johnson still several weeks away from a first-team return from his long-term battle with a knee injury, the £5million summer signing has a crucial role to play at Craven Cottage over the next month.
And Hughes is hoping Dembele, whose injury-time free-kick secured the 2-1 win last time out, will fill the void left by Zamora.
"We hope Moussa can get the goals - there's a big onus on him now that Bobby's gone," said Cottagers boss.
"But it's a big ask, you can't just hang a hat on Moussa. He'll get good support from the guys around him and that will help him become the success we think he will be.
"The beauty of Moussa is that he can play in a number of positions.
"That's the attraction from my point of view because I like players who have that flexibility."
Dikgacoi
Kagisho Dikgacoi is looking for more game time at Fulham as he nears full fitness following yet another injury setback.
The South Africa international, who arrived at Craven Cottage in August 2009, has spent the first weeks of the new season on the sidelines due to a thigh strain.
But the 25-year-old midfielder is hoping to resume full training with Hughes' squad sooner rather than later.
"I am getting better everyday, I am getting treatment everyday, doing weight sessions and some fitness work in the gym," he said.
"I have started rehabilitation work and should start proper training next week sometime."
Dikgacoi has made just a dozen appearances for the Cottagers since joining the club and he wants to improve on that record.
"It's been another bad start for me as I start the season with an injury but I am certain I will recover soon," he said.
"My goal this season is to play more games than I played last season."
