SIMON DAVIES has been ruled out of Fulham's opening Europa League match -and he could even miss the start of the Premiership season.
The Wales international has failed to recover from a stress fracture of the foot that sidelined him for the last five games of the season.
In fact, the 29-year-old was left behind in England as Fulham took on Gold Coast United in the first match of their pre-season trip to Australia yesterday and will take no part in the third round tie of the revamped UEFA Cup on July 30.
The draw is due to be made at UEFA headquarters in Nyon tomorrow. Speaking exclusively to your favourite local paper from Down Under, boss Roy Hodgson admitted he's 'extremely' short of midfielders.
He said: "Simon is still only able to train with exercises like straight-line drills following surgery. It was better he stayed back to work on his recuperation, although we're hopeful he'll be ready for the start of the Premiership.
"With one thing and another, we haven't got a great midfield selection right now."
As far as new faces go, MK Dons will also have to drop their £500,000 asking price to link Dean Lewington with dad, Ray, assistant to Hodgson at Craven Cottage.
The manager admitted the younger Lewington is on his shopping list - but not at the price demanded by the League One side.
Hodgson said: "Dean only has a year to go on his current contract, so there is much work to do before we can agree anything."
And any move for Polish striker Pavel Brozek is also far from a done deal, according to the Whites boss.
The player may have scored 42 times in two seasons for champions Wisla Krakow - but that won't automatically secure him a £2m transfer to west London.
"We sent someone to look at him, it's true," said the manager.
"But to tell you the truth, I've yet to see those reports, and that will have to wait until I come back."
Hull City's supposed £2m deal bid for attacker Bobby Zamora is also wide of the mark, according to Hodgson.
"I'm not the one to speak to about that," said Hodgson.
"You should ask our chief executive. But £2m for Bobby? That sounds rubbish to me."
