FULHAM will attempt to pull off the unthinkable and dump Manchester United out of the FA Cup in tribute to Chris Coleman.
The Cottagers captain is out for the rest of the season after an horrific car crash earlier this week left him with a double fracture of the leg and a broken ankle, and needing surgery to repair the damage.
Wales centre-back Coleman, a key figure in the London club's surge to the summit of Division One, will be replaced in the side by close friend Kit Symons and a number of his team-mates have left messages for their team-mate who is recovering from his operation.
Full-back Rufus Brevett, who has played more than 100 times alongside Coleman, said: ''All the lads will be up for it and want to do well for Chris. I think he has only missed a handful of games since he's been at the club.
''It's a massive loss, he's a big player for the club and I will certainly miss him because I play next to him. His influence in the dressing room will also be lost.
''For me, personally, the news was a killer. I couldn't believe it but we are professionals and we have to do a job.''
The former Crystal Palace and Blackburn player, signed for a then club record £2.1m in December 1997 when Fulham were in the Second Division, has become a cornerstone of their rise from the murky waters of the Football League to the verge of the Premiership.
And a number of his colleagues will visit him after Sunday's match at Craven Cottage, hoping they can take the news of a famous win with them. ''All the lads are really down, bitterly disappointed for Chris and his family. It is a big, big loss for Fulham Football Club,'' added goalkeeper Maik Taylor.
''He's been magnificent this season, and since he arrived at the club, both on and off the pitch. He's a true leader and the lads have a lot of respect for him. We are absolutely gutted but we have to pick ourselves up for a big match on Sunday and rally round and try and get over it.''
Source 365