Fulham defender Aaron Hughes has backed Fulham team-mate Brede Hangeland to recover from his poor start to the season.
The Craven Cottage captain has struggled for the first three months of the campaign, with the towering Norwegian at fault for a string of goals.
However, Hangeland has been hampered by a nerve problem in his leg, which kept him out of the defeats against Southampton and Leicester.
But defensive partner Hughes, who has only just recovered from a torn thigh, says the Fulham skipper will bounce back.
He said: "Looking at it from the sidelines it was pretty obvious the injury has hindered him.
"I think in terms of his performances the injury was weighing on him; pushing off and getting up for headers, sometimes he couldn't do it. Hopefully he can get it sorted and get back in as soon as possible."
Hangeland aggravated the sciatic nerve injury on international duty with Norway earlier this month, with the 32-year-old facing a race against time to be ready for Saturday's clash with Manchester United.
Hughes added: "He has been a massive miss for us. As much as the quality we have across the back four, you're always going to miss a player like Brede and his leadership.
"You definitely miss someone of his stature when you get out on the pitch."