Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is keen to tie Brede Hangeland and Mark Schwarzer to new deals.
Fulham boss eager to secure Hangeland and Schwarzer
Roy Hodgson is keen to tie Brede Hangeland and Mark Schwarzer to new deals after being impressed by the pair this season.
Giant defender Hangeland and experienced keeper Schwarzer have helped Fulham challenge for European qualification this season.
But Hangeland has been linked with a move away from Craven Cottage, while Schwarzer has just one more year remaining on his contract.
Both have been offered extensions and Hodgson is hopeful he will convince them to stay.
"Brede's contract has still got two years to go so there's not panic when it comes to that," he said.
"He has been offered a new deal at the club which I hope he will be happy with and accept."
On Schwarzer, Hodgson added: "Mark will be going into the last year of his contract and that is nothing which either he or we want so I'm hoping that will be quickly resolved.
"It's all very well talking about possible reinforcements and strengthening of your team but this group of players here this year have done a great job for us and it's important for me that we keep that group together."
Barnes and Dacourt
On-loan forward Giles Barnes is set to return to Derby, while Hodgson will not be keeping 34-year-old Frenchman Olivier Dacourt either.
He explained: "Olivier came here making it perfectly clear he would be here until the end of the season and I think he's contemplating retirement now.
"I would hope that's not the case, I think he's got a lot more to offer and would be a prize asset for many clubs but it wouldn't be here in England because of his family situation."
Regarding Barnes, Hodgson said: "Unfortunately he's been injured and we've not had the chance to assess him the way we would have liked during his time here.
"We're not prepared to pay the amount of money we'd be required to at the end of his loan period to secure his services."
Everton test
Fulham face Everton in their final game of the season, needing to win to guarantee a Europa League spot.
The Toffees could have one eye on next Saturday's FA Cup final against
Chelsea but Hodgson still expects a difficult game.
He said: "We've got a very tough game ahead of us against Everton. They are an excellent team and very hard to beat.
"What I am sure of is we will give it our best shot and I'm rather hoping that we will get a helping hand along the way from Liverpool and that they won't succumb to Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield.
"We've got two points and goal difference in our favour so we go into the last game in a favourable position."
