Fulham defender Alfie Mawson is likely to start tonight’s Carabao Cup clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
The London Evening Standard report the Mawson has started just three of Fulhams 10 Premier League matches to date as he continues to recover from knee surgery in the summer.
The centre-back was an unused substitute for last weekend’s 3-0 defeat at home to AFC Bournemouth, with Tim Ream and Denis Odoi getting the nod at the back.
Fulham had hoped the 24-year-old, who cost the club £20m from relegated Swansea City in the summer, would be further along the line in his rehabilitation at this stage.
The absence of Mawson could be one of the factors behind the Cottagers’ poor defensive record this campaign, having conceded 28 goals in the Premier League, more than anybody else.
Mawson is likely to be partnered with Calum Chambers for tonight’s fixture, and the two will have a difficult job trying to stop the free-flowing City side finding the back of the net.
The winners of the match will progress to the quarter-finals of the competition, but with Fulham struggling to stay afloat in the league, it’s questionable whether more matches would be beneficial to their cause.
