Fulham captain Brian McBride will return for the pre-Christmas
game against Wigan.
McBride has been sidelined since mid-August after suffering a
knee injury in the
process of scoring in the 2-1 defeat to Middlesbrough.
The powerful striker's presence has been missed by the Cottagers, who are on a run
of nine games without a win in the Premier League.
But Fulham boss Sanchez is planning to have McBride back in his
plans for the match with fellow strugglers Wigan on December 22.
"I always knew that Brian would be a big miss," Sanchez said.
"You try and pencil in dates for a player's recovery and we are targeting December
22 for him to be available for selection.
"I think English football has to be played with a big centre-forward. In Kenwyne
Jones, Sunderland seem to have shown that.
"You need an aerial presence; all the top teams have that. Brian is one of the best
in the Premier League and it's been a hard gap to fill.
"We can't afford to miss players of Brian's quality - that's why the front two have
been mixed and matched all season since then."