Fulham boss Slavisa Jokanovic has taken the unusual step of naming at least one of his side to face Middlesbrough tomorrow.
Richard Stearman will get his first outing since January 2 and his boss reckons the centre back is far from finished at Craven Cottage.
Stearman comes in for the suspended Fernando Amorebieta, red carded in the dying seconds at Leeds on Tuesday. Jokanovic hopes the silver lining for the man bought from from Wolves for £2 million in the summer, shines brightly from here on out.
He said: "Richard is going to play in tomorrow's game and he can help us.
"It wasn't an easy experience for him because he arrived to a new coach and was working with different players. But he's a professional and understands the situation.
"He has worked very hard, and tomorrow is going to be another chance for him."
Stearman and co come up against a thriving Boro, one managed by Aitor Karanka, and an old sparring partner for the Fulham chief.
Jokanovic crossed swords with the Boro boss plenty of times at various La Liga clubs in Spain in the 90s, and last season in opposite dugouts at Watford and Middlesbrough.
The Fulham coach reckons Boro are decent bets for promotion.
"He is one of the most talented coaches in the league; he has built a more solid team and a team headed for promotion.
"Everyone in Spain knows Aitor Karanka, and he has a very bright and shiny future.
"He’s built one very competitive team. I know him mostly as a professional, but there are people who know him better who have a very high opinion of him."
