Jol confident of Hangeland stay

Fulham manager Martin Jol is optimistic club captain Brede Hangeland will sign a contract extension by the end of the year.

Hangeland has yet to commit his future to the west London side, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the season – but the Dutch boss is confident of securing the experienced defender’s signature.

And the 56-year-old Jol revealed that the club have already offered the Norwegian a new deal which he hoped could lead to a conclusion in talks before Christmas.

“We are talking to (Hangeland),” Jol told the Fulham and Hammersmith Chronicle. “He knows what we’ve offered him is good so hopefully he will make a decision in the next month or so. We’re optimistic.”

Fulham currently sit in ninth place in the Premier League with 16 points from 13 games, but lost 1-0 to Stoke City on Saturday.

Hangeland missed the match at the Britannia Stadium due to the three-match suspension he received for a straight red card during 3-1 home defeat to Sunderland last weekend, and will be out until the game against Newcastle on December 10.