Fulham fbl manager concerned over team´s travel plans

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson fears his side’s travel plans for Thursday’s Europa League semi-final against Hamburg could be seriously disrupted by the volcanic ash cloud which has caused travel chaos all over Europe.

British airspace had been closed for several days as a result of the ash which has blown across Europe from a volcano in Iceland and Fulham are unsure if they will be able to fly to Germany on Wednesday for the Hamburg clash.

Speaking after his side’s 0-0 draw with Wolves on Saturday, Hodgson confirmed UEFA had been in touch with the club about a situation which could prove distracting in the build-up to the biggest game in the Premier League club’s history.

UEFA are expected to announce on Monday whether or not they intend to let Fulham’s first leg in Hamburg go ahead.

“UEFA have been in touch with the club and the English FA are in touch with the matter,” Hodgson said.

“One of UEFA’s concerns is that it should be fair and that their opponents don’t have to go through hell and high water to get to the game.

“An ideal scenario would be that the volcanic ash clears up and we can fly over to Germany.

“It’s totally and utterly linked to if there are flights. If there are no flights then the only option is to get a train and bus to Hamburg.

“There could still be a further problem because there might be no trains or coaches to travel on but I’m confident UEFA will resolve the problem.”

Fulham were well below their best against Wolves but could still have taken all three points as Bobby Zamora rattled the Wolves woodwork in the second half.

Hodgson insisted his side hadn’t been distracted by the looming Hamburg game and he said: “It wasn’t a case of Thursday being a distraction, it was a case of having to deal with a team who are difficult to deal with because they are well-rehearsed with their style of play.

“They kick the ball up from their goalkeeper and try to hold you in the box and the first thing you have to do is deal with that and don’t slip up and concede goals.

“In the second half we did well to get the ball down and get behind them and we did better.”

Hodgson was delighted to have picked up no fresh injuries ahead of Thursday’s clash, as they look to extend a European campaign which has already seen them knock out Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus and Wolfsburg.

Brede Hangeland was absent from the Wolves game after his wife went into labour on Saturday morning, but Hodgson hopes the Norway centre half will be available for to go to Germany.

“Hangeland would have played had she not but we hope that he becomes a father for the second time by Monday and by Tuesday he’ll be back in training and ready to play in Hamburg,” Hodgson said.