Last Updated: Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:05
Roy Hodgson has revealed he faces a fight with Fulham defender John Pantsil to prevent him from trying to return to action too soon.
The Ghanaian international right-back is battling back from the cruciate knee ligament injury he picked up on Boxing Day at Chelsea which ruled him out of the recent African Cup of Nations.
Cottagers boss Hodgson has revealed that Pantsil is now five weeks away from a possible return after the need for surgery was ruled out. However he is warning the player he will not entertain any ideas of him trying to come back before then.
Hodgson said: "John will push it to the limit.
"He won't be taking another week just in case. He'll be the one trying to nick a week and arguing with the physios to let him loose - and we've got to be careful with him."
He added: "John will have to toe the line, and another five weeks from now will give us a better idea. I think we have to be grateful he didn't need an operation."