Fulham

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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Several players went into what is sure to be a gruelling pre-tournament training camp lacking full fitness – notably Harry Kewell and Tim Cahill.

Schwarzer admits the situation is a worry, and hopes that time will be a great healer.

“It’s always a concern when guys are injured heading into a big tournament,” Schwarzer said.

“You want to have as many of your players fit as possible, especially your experienced players.

“But we’ve still got three weeks or so until the beginning of the World Cup, so it still gives players the opportunity to find their fitness, to overcome any niggles or injuries they’ve had over the season.

“Hopefully come the first game they’ll all be fit.”

Kewell’s groin injury is the most talked-about fitness concern ahead of Australia’s World Cup opener against Germany in Durban on June 13.

He trained lightly with the team at their first training session at Melbourne’s AAMI Park.

But he is likely to be eased through as the intensity rises with double sessions each day in the lead-up to the friendly against New Zealand (12/1 to qualify from Group F) on Monday night.

Schwarzer and his teammates are expecting Pim Verbeek to employ the same sort of physically demanding training schedule previous coach Guus Hiddink used ahead of the 2006 tournament.

“It will be very intense – from last time I can tell you it will be a very intense situation,” Schwarzer said.

“The first week is usually a bit lighter because of the many commitments we have here in Australia.

“But once we knuckle down, get away from the outside world a little bit, and get down to concentrate on training it becomes quite intense.”

Meanwhile, Cahill believes Australia’s work ethic and experience from 2006 will be the keys to their performance in South Africa next month.

And he has also stressed the importance of Australia getting their first-choice players in peak condition to tackle the World Cup.

“First of all we have to keep players fit and then try to get the consistency,” Cahill said.

“If we prepare right and try and be as fit as we can for this World Cup like we were for the last World Cup, our natural talents will hopefully shine through.

“We’ve got great character, great work ethic within the team and a team that sticks together.”

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