Fulham would like to sign Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong on loan next season

The midfielder is on loan until the end of the current season

Fulham boss Martin Jol would jump at the chance to sign Emmanuel Frimpong on loan again next season.

Frimpong has made only one appearance for the Cottagers since he arrived on a six-month loan from Arsenal, but it appears the combative midfielder has made quite an impression on Jol.

The 21-year-old, who looks set to start at Sunderland tomorrow, is due to return to the Emirates Stadium this summer, but Jol would like to keep the Ghanaian for longer.

"He is on loan at the moment and it would be quite expensive to take him (permanently), but if there was an opportunity to take him on loan again, I would probably do that," the Fulham manager said.

"It is quite a nice position to be in, to get a loan player you don't have to pay a transfer fee. It is a good way of doing things."

Frimpong joined Arsenal at nine-years-old and impressed during his progression through the youth ranks, helping the Gunners to FA Youth Cup glory in 2009.

He made his debut for the north London club in August 2011, but two serious knee injuries, plus a lack of discipline on and off the pitch, have hampered his progress.

The Ghanaian was sent off during his first full appearance for Arsenal and was involved in a tunnel bust-up with Samir Nasri when the Gunners played Manchester City last season, but Jol has no problem with the midfielder's attitude.

"We spoke about (discipline)," Jol said.

"In my day you could tackle, but now you have to stay on your feet.

"I was impressed with him from the start. Two years ago I saw him and he is the type of player you would like as a manger because he is versatile and he has got this mentality.

"But he can play as well, he is an Arsenal player. He is one of the few players who has been at Arsenal since a young age.

"I think Sunderland away would suit him. His fitness is getting better and better. He did well when he played for us against Norwich. He is fully fit now so I can play him from the start if I want to."

Another midfielder Jol will have at his disposal is Welshman Simon Davies.

Davies has suffered from a series of injuries over the past 18 months and he has not played for the club since their 5-0 win over Wolves in March last year.

He has overcome his latest problem - a knee injury - and could feature at the Stadium of Light tomorrow.

"Simon Davies is back, he is fit," Jol added.

"I have to make a decision (on whether he features). I have a lot of players now but it may be about having him in the squad."

Davies is one of a number of Fulham players who are out of contract at the end of the season.

Jol has challenged the 33-year-old to prove that he deserves a new deal.

"We like players to be quite productive," the former Tottenham manager said.

"He was injured probably half of the time, maybe more, but hopefully he can stay fit now.

"I have an idea that he can still prove himself again because that is what he did in the past.

"In the past he was a big player for Fulham."

PA