Parker upbeat ahead of vital game at Brighton

Fulham will face Brighton in the proverbial six-pointer with no new injury concerns but a raft of tired bodies, according to Scott Parker.

It will be the Whites’ fifth game in two weeks and follows the disappointment of a comprehensive 3-0 FA Cup exit to Burnley on Sunday.

But the head coach is trying to play down the importance of the game.

He said: “I don’t think this game is the be-all and end-all.

“There are still 20 games to go and I think we’re capable of winning two or three games on the bounce, and it’s not me being deluded.

“We’ve had setbacks and we’ve just played seven of the nine top teams.

“Now we’ve got matches against those in and around us, and as a group we’ve always managed to refocus when results haven’t gone our way.”

Parker confirmed the imminent loan of Stefan Johansen to QPR and refused to rule out a loan move for Neeskens Kebano as well when asked if the winger might also leave.

Parker said: “It’s no secret are squad is a big one and if there is the option for players to go and get football, we’ll look at it.”

Terence Kongolo and Tom Cairney remain sidelined, while defender Antonee Robinson will miss the final game of his three-match suspension.