Fulham close to Salcido deal

(GETTY IMAGES)

Fulham manager Mark Hughes is closing in on PSV Eindhoven's Mexico international left-back Carlos Salcido.

But Hughes insists their pursuit of Salcido does not automatically mean Fulham's current left-back Paul Konchesky will be on the move.

"We have made enquiries," Hughes said after watching Fulham beat Port Vale 6-0 in the second round of the Carling Cup.

"He is a player I am interested in and we are hopeful it might be concluded."

Reports last night stated that Fulham had agreed a fee with PSV for the 30-year-old, who played at this summer's World Cup.

Konchesky has been linked with a move to Liverpool, where he would link up again with former Fulham manager Roy Hodgson.

But Hughes said: "We are looking to have quality in all positions. Left-back is a position we are a little light in.

"It is not a foregone conclusion that Paul Konchesky goes because we are looking to bring someone else in."

Fulham also have a new left-back star in the making after 19-year-old Matthew Briggs made an eye-catching full debut for the club against Vale.

Zoltan Gera and Bobby Zamora scored twice and there were goals for new £5m striker Mousse Dembele and Clint Dempsey.

Port Vale manager Micky Adams, a former Fulham boss, was given a rousing reception from the Craven Cottage fans but the generosity ended there.

"We showed the competition the respect it deserves and I was really pleased with what we produced," said Hughes.

"There were some outstanding goals and some great finishes. We could have had a few more."

Adams knew his side would be up against it the moment he saw that Hughes had named a team featuring just three changes from the 2-2 draw with Manchester United.

Briggs, Gera and Dembele all came into the team and made significant contributions.

"As soon as we saw the team sheet we knew we would be in trouble," said Adams.

"A lot of the Premier League clubs last night made wholesale changes. Fulham for their own reasons picked their first team and it was always going to difficult.

"But we are disappointed. I think we are better than we showed tonight but we couldn't get near Fulham. They had pace and movement and it was too much for us."