Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic has insisted the situation with on-loan man Chris Martin is "normal", despite the striker missing from the squad during the 2-2 draw with Cardiff.
The turn of the year has seen several complications between the Derby man and Fulham, starting when he made himself 'unavailable' for the abandoned tie with Reading.
He signed a new contract at Derby but Jokanovic has previously said he wouldn’t be returning to his parent club during the January Transfer Window - with Martin returning to the Fulham line up.
However, the 28-year-old was absent from the Cottagers’ squad for their trip to South Wales, but his manager insists everything is normal and he expects him to play a big part in his side.
He said: "The situation is completely normal, he is working hard to try and improve himself and very soon I believe he will be at the optimal level to be a big part of the team and help us.
"Thanos (Petsos) is injured and Lucas is too but everyone else is available for the game tomorrow, and that includes Chris Martin."
Meanwhile, Jokanovic expects all but two players of his squad to be fit for tomorrow’s tie, including Floyd Ayite who was an injury concern after the draw in Cardiff.
He added: "Lucas Piazon will be out of the squad for between six-eight weeks while Thanos (Petsos) has a calf problem and we are assessing him but he still hasn’t started working with us.
"All our other players are available for the game against Preston tomorrow."
