Scott Parker is a lonely man at the Fulham training ground this week.

His pals in white are preparing to take on Hertha Berlin tomorrow in Austria, the latest of their pre-season games.

But the 34-year-old is Billy No Mates at Motspur Park as a result of failing a fitness test on his ankle.

Parker missed most of the end of last season before undergoing ankle surgery, and boss Kit Symons confirmed his midfield totem is some way off returning to action.

Controversial: Mo Farah (L) and coach Alberto Salazar

In fact, Parker will miss the start of the season after he could only manage 80 per cent on a piece of fitness gadgetry endorsed by Mo Farah’s controversial coach Alberto Salazar (see here).

Video Loading

The man at the centre of doping allegations in athletics, which he denies, reckons the Alter G machine is the way to recovery – and Parker needs all the help he can get.

There is nothing sinister in the connection.

In fact, the weight-bearing treadmill is meant to remove pounding in stages, but the former West Ham and Chelsea player has yet to see a blade of grass.

Missed start: Scott Parker (L)

Symons explained: “Scotty’s still not out on the grass yet. The Alter G machine, contraption that takes the weight off a runner, has him at 80 percent.

“Had he been higher we would have taken him to Austria, but we’ll leave him here to carry on with that.

“He won’t be ready for the start of the season. But I speak to him everyday and he’s happy with the way things are progressing.”

Symons also dismissed rumours linking the ex-England international with a move to join brother-in-law Harry Arter at Bournemouth.

The manager added: “It’s just speculation and I’ve not been told anything about that.”

poll loading

Scott Parker will be a major influence this season