Fulham manager Chris Coleman has hailed the return of skipper Lee Clark as one of the main reasons for his side's seven-match unbeaten start to 2005.

Coleman believes the comeback of 32-year-old Clark from a potentially career-threatening Achilles injury has provided Fulham with the hard edge which has enabled them to strike the rich vein of form lacking in the first half of the season.

Fulham aim to extend their unbeaten league and cup run to eight games when they meet Aston Villa at Craven Cottage on Wednesday night.

Describing the effect Clarke's return has had on the side, Coleman said: "Really good, really positive."

"It's brought an edge to the team. He has got a strong opinion on the game. Since he's been back it's been no coincidence that we have been a bit harder to beat.

"He demands more from his team-mates and he doesn't let things go. He doesn't like people to be sloppy in the team and, whilst we can shout as much as we like from the touchline, you need somebody right in the middle of it dictating. He's given us that since he's come back," said the Fulham boss.

At one stage Clark went to Italy for specialist treatment and he has had to endure a number of setbacks before finally returning to action.

"He has worked so hard. Until two months ago he was at the end of his tether because he kept getting to a certain stage in his rehab and couldn't break that barrier where he could get back training with us because he kept breaking down. It's been a massive effort and I'm delighted that he's back in," said Coleman.

Now, instead of worrying about his future Clark - signed from Sunderland for £3million in July 1999 - can contemplate extending his stay at Craven Cottage.

His current deal expires in the summer but Coleman said: "Very shortly we will be sitting down and talking about Lee's contract."

Coleman rates January as "the best month" since he replaced Jean Tigana, originally on a five-match caretaker basis, in April 2003.

Fulham are in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup, are still in the FA Cup following last Saturday's 1-1 fourth round draw at Derby and the possibility of equalling or bettering last season's ninth-place Premiership finish has been re-ignited by the recent run of form.

"It's been the most productive month we have had and the most pleasing from my point of view.

"It's been a massive effort by everybody and we have to build on that now. We have still got everything to play for," said Coleman, though he is certainly not getting carried away.

Fulham have hauled their way out of trouble and now look well clear of the relegation zone but Coleman said: "We have got to be realistic.

"We are ten points from the drop zone and ten points is a lot, but a couple of bad results and the clubs below us get a couple of good ones then whilst we can start thinking about getting a good result tomorrow night and seeing if we can go joint 11th, we have to keep one eye on the teams below us and not get carried away. That's the type of league it is.

"I'm always wary about getting sucked back into it and I mustn't let that happen because it's been such a massive effort from everybody to get ourselves out of the bottom four or five and put a bit of space between us and the relegation teams. We have to build on that and make sure that gap gets bigger and bigger."

The Cottagers boss is, however, well aware that recent history does not favour Fulham against Villa.

"Our record against them is not good. We lost twice last year, home and away, and we lost well. They also beat us this season at their place and beat us well.

"But that's all in the past. Your dreams have always got to be stronger than your memories so we have to forget about that. It's a game we are well capable of winning," he added.

Aston Villa Manager David O'Leary is hoping Djemba-Djemba can provide much needed back-up for Gavin McCann, who is now out for the remainder of this season with a knee problem.

Villa have plenty of midfield players but no-one of a similar ilk to the former Sunderland player.

O'Leary said: "I was tracking him because I have been looking to supplement McCann. I want Eric to play with Gavin, compete with him and, if Gavin is not playing well, I have a player now who can fill that position.

"Eric is a hungry player who want to come and play football and do well and I think he will offer us good value."

O'Leary admitted: "I would say that Rio and Alan definitely contributed towards Eric coming here. I had all this thing thrown at me that I never got on with the players at Leeds but two of my diamonds from there have played a part in clinching this deal."

O'Leary's immediate concern is for Villa to halt a poor run of results and re-establish themselves as a side capable of challenging for a European place.

He said: "I have got a good bunch of lads here and no-one expected them to finish where they did last season (sixth) and the challenge is to do it again this season."

Central defender Martin Laursen is included in the squad for the trip to Craven Cottage after coming through two reserve outings successfully following a five month lay-off with a knee problem.

Eric Djemba-Djemba has admitted glowing testaments about David O'Leary from Rio Ferdinand and Alan Smith were a key factor in him deciding to quit Manchester United for Aston Villa.

The Cameroon international failed to live up to his tag as Roy Keane's eventual successor at Old Trafford and has moved to Villa in a deal that could be worth £1.8million.

The midfielder revealed he was also attracting interest from Paris St Germain, Benfica, Birmingham and Portsmouth.

But the words of advice from Ferdinand and Smith, who worked with O'Leary during his spell as Leeds manager, helped make up his mind to move to Villa.

Now Djemba-Djemba is hoping for an extended run of first team action to prove his worth in the Premiership, although he will be on the substitutes bench for Wednesday's game at Fulham.

The player said: "In my country Villa is a big team who create big news and my ex-team mates Rio Ferdinand and Alan Smith spoke to me about the manager and said he was someone who would help me develop.

"Portsmouth, Benfica, Birmingham and Paris St Germain were all interested and it was not too easy a decision to make.

"But my team-mates said: 'Choose Villa because they have good young players and the manager gives young players a chance and works well with them."'

Djemba-Djemba admitted he has not ruled out the possibility of returning to Old Trafford in the future but admits the longevity of Keane's career was a factor in leaving the Red Devils.

He said: "Roy Keane is a great player who was still playing well and maybe he will be there for another two or three years. I can't wait that sort of time and I want to play football.

"If I start to play and do well, then maybe one day I can go back there. But I am not thinking about that now. I want to play well for Villa and maybe I will stay here a long time.

"I would like to play on a regular basis. You do not build up the confidence if you start one game and then have to wait four or five more before you play again. It means you are nervous when you play. Let me play five games and I can show what I can do."