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Fulham midfielder
Simon Davies |
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Fulham manager Roy Hodgson will contemplate big changes for Tuesday's FA Cup
fifth-round replay against Swansea after just one day between games.
The Cottagers defeated West Brom in the league on Sunday but have been asked to
play again just over 48 hours later.
Erik Nevland and the fit again Diomansy Kamara could come into contention up
front if Bobby Zamora or Andy Johnson are rested - while the likes of Frederik
Stoor, Julian Gray and Olivier Dacourt could also be asked to step into the
starting XI.
Simon Davies admits he was made to eat humble pie after last week's FA Cup
fifth-round draw with Swansea and is desperate to prove a point when the sides
meet again.
Wales international Davies has a number of friends in the Championship side, not
to mention others who follow the club, and was happy to play up the Cottagers'
chances before the teams drew 1-1 at the Liberty Stadium.
But Swansea enjoyed the better of the play for large periods and were unlucky
not to progress.
Now Davies is ready to make good on his earlier promises.
"I lived an hour west of Swansea when I was growing up. It was the closest team
to me,'' he said.
"Before the game, I was me texting them saying `we'll be giving you a roasting'
- and I got egg on my face on that one.
"I hope there's a few things we can put right.
"I've got a few friends who are (Swansea fans), and a lot of friends went to the
game. That's why it was frustrating.''
Fulham have virtually no preparation time for the game, having beaten West Brom
2-0 in the Premier League on Sunday. But their domination of that match - they
hit the woodwork on four occasions in addition to their goals - could yet stand
them in good stead.
Reflecting on their prospects, Davies added: "It's a game I'm really looking
forward to.
"If we play like we did on Sunday we're confident we'll get the result.''
Defender Garry Monk has been ruled out for Swansea.
Influential skipper Monk, who also missed the 3-1 Championship win over
Doncaster at the weekend, has failed to recover in time from a back problem and
will again miss out.
Midfielder Joe Allen is doubtful after he picked up a thigh strain in that game
and faces a late fitness test.
However, boss Roberto Martinez has been boosted by midfielder Jordi Gomez and
defender Owain Tudur-Jones both coming through the weekend unscathed despite
suffering slight knocks, and both should be fit to face to the Cottagers.
Striker Gorka Pintado is still about a fortnight away from a return and will
miss the clash due to his hernia problems, while the Swans are also hampered by
long-term injuries to Darren Pratley, Ferrie Bodde and Marcos Painter.
Mark Gower is determined to keep Swansea`s dream season going by helping them
beat Fulham.
The Welsh side, who dominated for long periods of the game, currently sit ninth
in the Coca-Cola Championship and have attracted praise for manager Roberto
Martinez`s attractive style of play, with Sir Alex Ferguson one of the most
recent admirers.
Ferguson`s Manchester United, await the winners, with Gower keen to use the
Scot's encouragement as an incentive.
"We can beat Fulham without a shadow of a doubt - and that's not just us saying
that,'' he said. "When you hear someone like Sir Alex Ferguson saying what he
did you know you must have a chance.
"Sometimes you question yourself whether you're playing as well as you think,
but then you hear what people like Sir Alex say and the TV coverage, and realise
we are that good at the moment and we have nothing to fear.''
Another factor spurring Gower on is the memory of the opportunities he spurned
in the 1-1 draw last time out.
Gower saw two gilt-edged chances go begging and the 30-year-old admits he is
desperate to make amends at Craven Cottage.
"I know I played well and I was pleased with that. But when you miss a chance
like I did against Fulham then it's not about you, it's about costing the team -
and that sticks in your throat,'' he said.
"To be fair, I think I've been unlucky so far this year but that was my first
one I should have put away.
"Then when Manchester United comes out of the hat you can't help thinking that
if I had put that in then we would be in the quarter-finals.
"Or even if I'd just had a bit of luck off the post we could be looking forward
to one of the biggest games of our careers. And that's what's getting to me.''