Fulham look to keep Hangeland
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed that negotiations have begun to improve and extend the contract of defender Brede Hangeland ahead of tonight's clash with Hull.
The Norway captain has been a huge success in his 14 months at Craven Cottage, helping Fulham avoid relegation last season and achieve a top-10 place this term.
Hodgson said: "We have had plans for a while to talk to him a) about an extension and b) about improving his contract. That's in hand."
Hangeland has made it clear he is currently happy to stay at Fulham but Hodgson knows the 27-year-old could soon be the subject of a resolve-testing bid.
He said: "If it happens, it happens and we will deal with it the best we can but in the meantime Brede and other players who might interest other clubs are still here and we will do our best to keep them."
Hull's first top-flight fixture saw them beat Fulham 2-1 at the KC Stadium in August as Phil Brown's side became the great success story of the first half of the season.
The Tigers have found points harder to come by recently however and they will arrive in London without having tasted victory in their last 11 league outings.
Hodgson said: "At the moment they are not going through such a successful spell but their fine form at the start of the season has given them a very good platform and we know we will have to be at our best if we are to get a result.
"Winning matches in the Premier League is hard for anybody. And once you start losing one or two it is easy to get into a spiral.
"But I have to say that it is just a matter of time before they win again. They will win games before now and the end of the season because they have the character, backbone and work ethic."
Hull will be without ex-Fulham midfielder Jimmy Bullard, who suffered a serious knee injury just days after leaving Craven Cottage in January in a £5m deal.
The England squad man had been disappointed that Fulham had not been willing to grant him the contract extension he craved and was quick to sign on the dotted line for Hull once a four-and-a-half-year deal was offered.
But Hodgson insisted: "There is no ill feeling whatsoever. The only feeling is one of great pity that he is not going to be performing for them until next season, when we will wish him well."
Defender John Pantsil returns from suspension to replace the injured Chris Baird at right-back.
