Fulham boss Marco Silva addressed the media ahead of our Carabao Cup opener against Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night.
When asked about Willian’s possible return, Marco stated: “Not yet. When in his best physical condition, he is a really important player for us.
"We will have to see whether he will be ready for City or if we have to give him more time to be ready after the international break.”
Having received three yellow cards this season, Marco will not be available on the touchline for the fixture but it will still be commanding from the stands.
“I understand that that is the decision,” said Marco. “And I respect the decisions, even if sometimes they are difficult to understand.
“I have to understand though and change some things that they want me to change.”
With it still being early in the season and players still getting up to speed, Marco is ready to accept the challenge that will come from making decisions with regards to who will play on Tuesday evening.
“Probably I will have to make more rotations in some positions,” Marco stated.
“Some it will be impossible for me to make rotations and I will have to take make a technical decision.
“It is an important moment to see some players, who deserve to have minutes as well.
“Of course, it is an important condition for us, it’s at home, our last home game was not, in terms of result, not the best result but we want to see a reaction like we did in our last game against Arsenal.
“It was a good reaction after our last home game against Brentford.
“It is a very good competition, right at the start of the season.
“Of course, it is at the start of the season where some players are tired and we have to see each player and approach the situation in the right way because we have some players who have come back from big injuries, we have to manage these types of situations.”
Spurs have had a positive start to the season under new manager Ange Postecoglou, and Marco expects a touch match against the North London outfit.
“We expect something from them. They started the season well.
“They are playing good football as well. As always, Tottenham has a lot of good players, quality players all around the pitch.”