Bullard aims to be playing inside eight weeks after horror injury

Jimmy Bullard hopes to be back in action for Fulham inside eight weeks as he begins his rehabilitation from the dislocated knee he suffered against Newcastle United on Saturday.

The former Wigan midfielder was encouraged by results of X-rays which showed he had not suffered any broken bones in the incident with the Newcastle midfielder Scott Parker.

Bullard said: "I have been told it could be eight weeks. I had the X-ray on Saturday and there was no bone trouble so I am looking at eight weeks. I've never had an injury like it. I've never hardly been injured in my career. This is my first injury [but] I know I have hard training coming my way and I have got to get my knee as fit as soon as possible."

Bullard's knee crumpled as he was challenged by Parker and the Fulham midfielder - as well as television viewers who had an uncomfortably clear sight of the incident - knew it was a bad injury as soon as it occurred.

Bullard said: "I have seen it a few times. I just remember the tackle as my leg got caught under me. I was looking at my leg and then the pain came on and it was all a bit of a shock to be honest, a bit of a blur. It was not a good feeling.

"I knew it was a bad injury. It is just one of those things and I have got to get on with it and get as fit as quick as possible and get well."

Bullard has exonerated Parker from any blame for the tackle which did the damage, saying: "What I can remember of it is that I gave a short pass away and the ball came back to me then Scotty came through and I took the full force of his weight on my right knee and my right knee came out of its socket and gave way on me really.

"I don't blame Scotty at all. He is a good friend of mine and I don't blame him one little bit."