Roy Hodgson

Fulham Boss Roy Hodgson has told defender Ian Pearce that he will be fighting for a first-team spot when he returns from his loan spell at Southampton.

Pearce completed 90 minutes for the Saints in their 1-1 draw with Scunthorpe at Glanford Park last weekend after choosing to go out for a month to improve his fitness.

"Ian Pearce has done very well and is a player I like very much," Hodgson told the club's official website.

"When we got an offer that he could go to a good quality Championship side and play for them we thought that was a risk worth taking.

"Whilst he's there I can't use him but I think the level of match play he will get there will stand him in very good stead when he comes back.

"I made it clear to him that I was happy for him to stay but if he thought that this month would push him forward and closer to the first team then I'll take the risk."

malik tillman jimenez fulham premier league premiership wolverhampton wanderers raul jimenez tom cairney football rumours craven cottage newcastle united shahid khan gray wilson championship silva newcastle wolves arbeloa wolverhampton wanderewrs tillman cairney harry wilson cottage fulham fc transfer rumours alvaro arbeloa marco silva fa cup