Fulham has just two players who are definitely ruled out of Sunday’s Premier League clash against Liverpool.
The London club has struggled since returning from the recent international break, losing 3-0 against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup quarter-finals before being beaten 2-1 by Arsenal in midweek Premier League fixture at the Emirates.
Fulham remains very much part of the race for European place and is six points off fifth place, which should offer a spot in the Champions League. So the Cottagers are likely to pose a difficult challenge for Liverpool, who drew 2-2 when the sides last met.
Kenny Tete picked up a knee injury in that game and hasn’t been seen since, but Silva confirmed in Friday’s press conference that the defender may be an option to come back into the squad this weekend.
“Kenny Tete is training 100 per cent with the team and it’s a matter of time for him to be in the squad list,” said the Fulham manager. “He is going to be in contention to be involved. It could be Liverpool, it could be other games, it will be my decision. Soon, we are going to see him involved in the squad list.”
Fulham’s only confirmed absentees are Reiss Nelson and Harry Wilson. The former may not feature again this season after undergoing hamstring surgery in February, while Wilson hasn’t played since January due to a broken foot. Like Tete, he is closing in on a return.
“It’s nice to see Harry Wilson around the squad, on the grass, doing some individual work,” said Silva. “He will be with us soon and that’s great news in terms of the wide attacking areas of the pitch, where you miss a player of his characteristics, who can help the team.”
As for the Fulham manager’s team selection, he sprung a surprise by naming a back three against Arsenal on Wednesday, with Timothy Castagne and Antonee Robinson operating as attacking wing-backs. He could select a similar shape against the league leaders, or may opt to revert to the 4-2-3-1 shape that has typically been deployed this term.
As for Liverpool, it is set to be without Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez while Alisson and Conor Bradley could return.
