Finnan fit to help Fulham's push for success

Steve Finnan believes he is fit enough after his return from injury for the 24 days which will reveal whether Fulham really can keep up with the Premiership's élite. Jean Tigana's men have enjoyed a good start to their campaign and will go fourth in the table if they beat West Ham in the London derby at Loftus Road tonight.

The match with Glenn Roeder's side kicks off a hectic spell of eight games in three and a half weeks, which sees a Worthington Cup tie against Bury and the continuance of their Uefa Cup campaign.

So Finnan's return in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Manchester United was a welcome boost for Tigana and the player, who had missed just one league game in two years before his injury-ravaged start to this season.

The 26-year-old returned from Republic of Ireland duty in the World Cup and was promptly suffered a twisted ankle, a bout of flu and stubborn knee ligament problems.

Finnan said: "I've worked hard to get back, so now want to stay fit and get more games. Saturday was my first match for a while, and only my second in five weeks. I was blowing a bit, but just happy to get the 90 minutes under my belt. It will probably take less time than at most clubs to get back to full fitness as we've got good fitness coaches and physios here.

"I'm hoping it will only take me three or four games to get back to the top level. We've got a lot of games coming up now and haven't got a midweek break for a month or so. But I feel OK and I'm ready to play again."

Fulham's season kicked off just six days after the World Cup final with the start of their successful Intertoto Cup campaign. Tigana and his assistant, Christian Damiano, have already voiced fears about the lack of real depth in their squad, while the players have spoken of their concern that the early start to the season will affect the team at some point.

The testing 24-day spell, which starts against West Ham tonight continues with Southampton away on Sunday and next Thursday's Uefa Cup second round, first leg trip to Dynamo Zagreb. After that come Arsenal, Bury, Aston Villa, the return leg with Zagreb and Birmingham – all by 16 November.

The Fulham defender Martin Djetou is not quite ready to make his debut against the Hammers. Djetou, 28, signed on a 12-month loan deal from Italian side Parma on 19 July, almost immediately needed a knee cartilage operation and only managed his first appearance for the reserves earlier this month. He is now stepping up to full training and could make his bow against Dynamo Zagreb or Arsenal next week. The Fulham striker Louis Saha also misses out with a hamstring injury.

Frédéric Kanouté looks like losing his battle to be fit to face Fulham. The French striker is still struggling with a groin injury, and the West Ham manager, Glenn Roeder, said it would be "a miracle" if he was fit to play. But Sebastian Schemmel returns after missing Saturday's win at Sunderland with a foot injury.