Felix Magath insists crocked striker Kostas Mitroglou can still play a part in Fulham's survival bid.
The Greece international has managed just two hours pitch time since his £12million move from Olympiakos in January due to a knee injury.
Mitroglou saw a specialist in Italy recently to assess the full extent of the problem and will be absent again for Saturday's crucial relegation showdown with Norwich City.
Magath is hopeful the 26-year-old will be able to return to full training next week, and says the frontman could still feature in the final four games of the campaign.
He said: "You can't say that he has been a mistake because if you want to build up a team it will take time during the season. If you want to improve your team with new players you don't have much choice.
"There will not be many players you can get. I think you have to see the long term if you take a player like Mitroglou. You are not thinking only for four weeks. You have to think for the longer term and for that it is not a mistake.
"He is a very good striker. He has scored not only in the national league, he has scored in the Champions League. Maybe he will help us. Even if it is the last game and he scores that is good enough for us if we stay in the League."
