Fulham's consistency is denying fringe players much of a chance of getting into Roy Hodgson's starting XI right now - but midfielder Andranik believes he will play once he shakes off his knee injury.

And what's more, the Iranian thinks he could yet play a role in propelling the Whites to a Uefa Cup place.

It has not been the happiest of starts for the former Bolton player, who moved to Craven Cottage on a free transfer in the close season.

He has yet to make a start and played only twice so far - and now he is trying to get over an injury that has kept him sidelined for the past 10 weeks.

But there is stoicism rather than gloom about those frustrations and he is making all the right noises about his likely contribution this season.

"I accept it may be difficult to get in the team now because we are getting some very good results in the Premier League and when that happens, no manager wants to change his team too much," Andranik told the Gazette.

"That's a part of football. "But I have to say I'm really happy because I'm at a good club and working with some great players and a great manager - and I'm confident I will get a chance to play.

"Our results have been very good in the last few weeks and we have some more important games coming up.

"If we can get a few home wins, we can maybe climb higher in the table to sixth or seventh and even start thinking about the Uefa Cup.

"Confidence is at a high level now because we know we are hard to beat. I don't think the fact we are drawing many games 0-0 means we are bad to watch because we are playing very well in our stadium."

So sure is Andranik that he will be involved - and Dickson Etuhu, another holding midfielder sidelined by injury was saying the same thing last week - he is not contemplating a loan spell elsewhere to get back on track.

"I haven't discussed the possibility of going out on loan to get back to fitness and playing some matches," he said.

"I haven't even thought about it. All I'm thinking about is getting back to training with the first team and being ready to play again.

"I got the ligament injury 10 weeks ago in my left knee in a reserve game against West Ham at the training ground.

"I think I'm going back training with the first team in two or three weeks time and maybe in the new year I can get a chance to play."

Andranik added: "I've only played 20 minutes against Arsenal and the Carling Cup tie at Burnley.

"It has been frustrating playing only twice, but that can happen to any player. You can always get an injury."

The Whites will be aiming to build on the second best home record in the Premier League when they take on Middlesbrough this weekend - a match that sees Aussie keeper Mark Schwarzer take on the club he left in the summer after 11 seasons at the Riverside.

Last week's draw at Stoke made it six games without defeat, but it is the home form rather than the three 0-0 draws on the road that are shaping the season and fuelling hopes of a best Premier League finish.

Fulham have dropped only seven points in their eight games at the Cottage so far - only Man United have done better. Chelsea, by comparison, have let 14 points slip by.

Match Summary STOKE CITY (0) 0 FULHAM (0) 0 Line-up: Schwarzer; Pantsil, Hughes, Hangeland, Konchesky; Davies, Bullard, Murphy, Gera; Dempsey, Johnson. Subs not used: Zuberbühler, Stoor, Kallio, Andreasen, Etuhu, Gray, Nevland. Attendance: 25,287 MoM: Brede Hangeland  Next Up

MIDDLESBROUGH

Craven Cottage Saturday 3pm Premier League

Manager: Gareth Southgate Position last season: 13th

Form Guide: Boro have been unpredictable this season. Chelsea thrashed them 5-0 in Teeside,but they grabbed a win at Villa Park, They should be in good heart after last Saturday's 1-1 draw with Arsenal at the Riverside. They have won three and lost three at home. Away, there have been only two wins - 1-0 at Wigan,as well as the 2-1 defeat of Aston Villa - two draws and four defeats. The losses came at leaders Liverpool (1-2),Portsmouth (1-2), Sunderland (0-2) and Hull City (1-2), the draws at Blackburn and Everton. Players to look out for: Jeremie Aliadiere is enjoying playing regular football after several seasons of frustration at Arsenal. Winger Stewart Downing can be outstanding.

Most recent meetings: Middlesbrough 1-0 Fulham (9 Feb 2008); Fulham 1-2 Middlesbrough (18 Aug 2007) - Premier League. Head-to-head record: FFC Wins: 21 MFC Wins: 26 Draws: 7 [

Match Facts: Fulham have won five and lost two of the seven Premier league clashes between the sides at the Cottage, but they have lost the last three encounters - including a controversial 2-1 loss at the Cottage in August 2007 when David Healy was denied a late equaliser by a linesman's failure to spot that his shot had crossed the line (picture, above). Last year's game was unlucky all round with Brian McBride and Hameur Bouazza suffering bad injuries.

Forecast: Fulham are in the habit of drawing at the moment and must be wary of sleep-walking towards another stalemate. But if they can get their noses in front, a sixth home win of the season should be theirs.

Gazette forecast success rate: 7 correct out of 18 (39%).