Jol rules out losing players

Fulham manager Martin Jol has played down talk of players leaving the London club on loan, despite receiving enquiries.

A number of players including Marcello Trotta, Matthew Briggs and Pajtim Kasami have been linked with moves from the club as they have not featured regularly for the first team.

But the Cottagers manager is determined to hang on to his fringe players, claiming they provide depth to the squad after missing out on some of his targets in the recent transfer window.

Jol told the Fulham Chronicle: “We’ve had some enquiries but at the moment I need all of these players.

“Trotta’s making big steps and I can’t let him go. There were quite a few clubs, even abroad, that wanted to get him on loan but I would like to keep them all.”

And Jol admits that while he hopes players carrying slight injuries such as John Arne Riise will make a speedy recovery, the fringe players will push hard for a place in the Cottagers’ starting XI.

Jol added: “They’re always knocking on the door. You saw what happened in the transfer window so other players will get opportunities now.

“Hopefully everything will be fine with John Arne Riise. He was injured two weeks ago and Briggs came in against Man Utd and did well. They will stay here for the next period.”