Parker: Maja unlikely to start against Leicester

Fulham are unlikely to name new signing Josh Maja in the starting line-up when they face Leicester on Wednesday.

Scott Parker revealed the striker was only due to arrive in London on Tuesday after a deadline day loan signing from Bordeaux.

The head coach also wants to assess the Maja’s fitness before he throws him in at the deep end.

“He’s not here right now,” Parker said on Tuesday afternoon. “And he’s not been involved (at Bordeaux) over the last three or four games. So we need to assess him physically and go from there.

“But Josh falls into the line of transfer business we’ve done this year; a young talent and one we can develop.

“He’s a good finisher and it was obvious that’s one area we need to strengthen.”

Parker confirmed the club failed to persuade Josh King from Bournemouth to throw his lot in with the Premier League strugglers

King opted to go to Everton instead.

“We tried and we pushed, but competing with Everton was a challenge and he decided to go there,” Parker explained.

The Whites go in search of their first double of the season against the Foxes, buoyed by the absence of striker Jamie Vardy.

“Leicester without him has to be beneficial to us, but they have great players who can cover for him,” Parker said.