Fulham boss Mark Hughes believes there is still a chance that goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer could remain at the club this season (Fulham 1/3 to beat Port Vale in Carling Cup).
The Australia international has spent two seasons at Craven Cottage following 11 years with Middlesbrough but has already been the subject of two £2m bids from Arsenal that were turned down earlier this summer.
The 37-year-old is currently out of action with a back injury and is unlikely to feature in Fulham’s mid-week Carling Cup clash with Port Vale, with David Stockdale proving a more than adequate replacement between the posts in the early part of the campaign.
Arsenal have been looking for a solid, dependable keeper for some time with both Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski vulnerable to making the odd costly mistake.
Schwarzer responded to the recent interest from the Gunners by handing in a transfer request as he seeks to play Champions League football in the final few years of his career.
It seems likely that the former Bradford custodian will be allowed to leave if the two clubs can reach a deal on the financial side of the transfer, but Hughes was quick to point out that there is still a chance that the talented shot-stopper might remain at the Cottage until at least Christmas.
“It’s not a foregone conclusion that Mark will leave,” he told the Guardian. “We’re all aware of Arsenal’s interest. It’s not a surprise because he’s an outstanding goalkeeper and they obviously feel they have an issue with their own goalkeeper.”
Hughes admitted he has been pleased with what he has seen of Schwarzer’s understudy to date but pointed out that he might be in the market for a more experienced keeper if his current number one does leave west London.
“We’ve been impressed with what we’ve seen (of Stockdale) since we’ve been here, and he’s arguably been the star man in both games,” he added. “We’re pleased with what he’s producing at the moment but it’s always difficult for young keepers.
“They get by initially on adrenalin and enthusiasm, but can they keep it up over time? It’s a long season and you’ve got to be careful with them.”
Fulham will next be in Premiership action on Saturday when they make the long trip to Bloomfield Road to take on Blackpool (Blackpool 3/10 to be relegated from Prem).
Hughes will fancy his chances of taking all three points following the Seasiders 6-0 capitulation against Arsenal at the weekend but Ian Holloway’s side will be desperate to show their fans what they can do on their home Premiership debut.
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