Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has ensured the future of Erik Nevland at the club by stating he would like to keep him for next season.
The Norwegian striker scored the only goal of the game yesterday, in the 1-0 over Stoke City at Craven Cottage, and Hodgson claims he wants him to remain with the London side.
The former Manchester United youth player has yet to start a game for the club, however, and Hodgson faces stiff competition from the player's former club Viking, who are eager to take him back to Norway.
Hodgson said, "He was a player I got to know at Viking.
"He has been a Man United youth player. I think he spent some years there but never broke into the first team.
"He had been at Viking for a few years by the time I got back there, in fact he was in the last year of his contract.
"The club was very close to relegation, when I got there we were in the bottom two. He did a fantastic job but we could not hang onto him, but I always remembered the job he did for us in those six months.
"So, when I came to Fulham and was desperate to get out of the situation we were in, I always remembered Erik and what he had done and we were lucky to sign him from Groningen."
The 61-year-old feels the striker does not yet have the physique to compete in the Premier League, but still wishes to keep him as he has proved to be an effective player for the club this season.
"Andrew Johnson's arrival has pushed him back because they are similar players," he added.
"Erik is not that tall and height and strength in this league is becoming reasonably important.
"If you don't have your fair share of six-footers in the team you suffer from set-plays. I was pleased with him today, he made the chance and took it himself.
"He has been an outstanding professional since he's been here. Viking are desperate to get him back and I'd like to keep him of course.
"That is something we'll have to discuss in the coming weeks.
"I would be interested to hear how he sees things because he has done such a good job for us and I certainly would not want to force a decision on him that he was not happy with.
"But, if he was happy to stay with us, we'd be very happy to keep him," concluded the Fulham boss.
Fulham now sit in the last remaining Europa League spot, and will make a push in the last four games of the season in order to hold onto that position.