Parker felt ‘forced’ to put Kongolo on bench because of lack of options

Fulham were forced into naming Terence Kongolo as a substitute against Everton because the squad was short of numbers, Scott Parker says. 

Parker admitted putting the Netherlands international on the Goodison Park pitch would have been the last resort, especially as the injury-ravaged defender has played only 67 minutes since breaking a foot more than a year ago.

The head coach said: ‘To be honest with you, I was a bit forced in that sense.

“Joe Bryan picked up an injury and Terence has been with us (in training) for one week now.

“He wouldn’t have been in that position if it wasn’t because of the injuries we had.

“He needs some football and he needs some games in the Under-23s, so maybe there will be an option for him to play some games there.”