Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen reckons skipper Brede Hangeland’s return to action is like having a new signing.
The towering Norwegian defender is back in the fold following three months out with a sciatic nerve problem in his leg and came through the midweek FA Cup win against Norwich unscathed.
His comeback provides a timely boost to a side that have leaked 46 goals in just 21 games – the most in the Premier League by a mile - to leave them struggling near the foot of the table.
Hangeland is poised to start against Arsenal today, and Meulensteen has welcomed his influential captain back into the squad.
He said: “It was very good to see him back. It’s been a big boost for us and for him. He’s been very important over the years for Fulham.
“It really is like having a new signing because as long as I’ve been at the club I’ve had no access to him.
“We know our defensive record needs improving and that’s why we very clearly set out to keep a clean sheet against Norwich.
“We need to find the right balance. We’ve shown we can attack, now we need to show we can be good defenders and hard to break down as well.”
