Barry Hayles is determined to make one of the strikers' spots at Fulham his own. The £2 million frontman feared for his place when manager Jean Tigana made sweeping personnel changes during the summer.

Geoff Horsfield was sold to Birmingham, Paul Peschisolido was told he had no future at Fulham, and Louis Saha from Metz and former Arsenal forward Luis Boa Morte were recruited.

But Hayles, who scored as a second-half substitute in a 2-0 win over Crewe in the club's opening First Division game of the new season on Saturday, claimed the Frenchman's guidance could be a godsend.

He said: "I was worried about my place but the manager told me to get over my groin injury and get fit and he would make me a new man.

"I know if I work hard I have got a chance. I scored on Saturday and If I can start a few games and knock a few more in, I can make a place up front my own."