Fulham have been boosted by the news that striker Moussa Dembele will only miss two to three weeks action after the horror challenge by Andy Wilkinson in stoppage time at the end of the 2-0 Carling Cup defeat at Stoke.
But a scan revealed that Belgium international Dembele, who has scored three goals this season in a fine start to life at Craven Cottage, had sustained only minor ankle ligament damage.
''Moussa had a scan after the initial impact of the injury had settled down,'' said Mark Hughes. ''At the moment it looks like he'll be out for two to three weeks. He should be fit and well after the international break.
Cottagers boss Mark Hughes was left fuming at the tackle that threatened to deny him of yet another striker just days after Bobby Zamora's leg break and ligament damage ruled him out for five months.
But the news is good for the £5million summer signing from AZ Alkmaar who has impressed since his arrival at Craven Cottage and now has a crucial role to play, with Andy Johnson also still several weeks from a first-team return following his battle with a knee injury.