Senderos targets Fulham first team after injury hell

Defender who missed most of first season at club is confident he can make the breakthrough

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Philippe Senderos is hoping to force his way into the Fulham first team after coming through the latest frustrating injury problem to strike him during his time at Craven Cottage.

Senderos signed for Fulham in June 2010, but had to wait 11 months to make his debut after rupturing his Achilles tendon in training.

The Switzerland defender then went on to win a place in the first team under new manager Martin Jol this season, but he suffered another injury – to his thigh – in September, leaving him out of action for a month.

Jol has chosen between Brede Hangeland, Aaron Hughes and Chris Baird at centre-back in Senderos's absence, but the former Arsenal man is now fully fit and determined to put his despair behind him by winning back a place in the first team.

"I think it's important to not dwell too much on what has happened in the past – I like to think that the injury is behind me now," Senderos said. "Of course, it was a frustrating period because I missed the majority of my first season at Fulham. [But] I'm feeling good and looking forward to the coming weeks. I've missed a lot of football and I need to establish myself again.

"I know the challenge that I face because the partnership between Brede Hangeland and Aaron Hughes is very strong. They are two of the best around and have done much for the success of this club, but I'm confident in my ability as a defender. When the chance comes to show what I can do I have to make sure that I take the opportunity. I just want to help make a difference and get a regular run of games."

Despite his injury troubles at Craven Cottage, Senderos does not regret joining Fulham, a club he thinks has a bright future despite their worrying start to the season which has seen them drop to 17th after just one win in nine.

"Joining Fulham was an easy choice," said Senderos, who could play in Saturday's game at Wigan. "This is a great club, with great players, great staff and great prospects – when you put those factors together you can see that this team is capable of achieving big things.

"Ambition is massive to me, and Fulham have that. They've enjoyed some of their best seasons in recent years and I want to be part of its future success."

Nottingham Forest have signed the rookie Manchester City defender Greg Cunningham on loan until the end of the year. Steve Cotterill moved for the 20-year-old left-back after Clint Hill was recalled from his loan spell by QPR.

Cunningham joined City from Mervue United in his native Galway in 2007 and has made five substitute appearances, while he also had a spell on loan with Leicester last season.

Cotterill said: "Left-backs are very difficult to come by and although he's only a young player I think he's got a good future ahead of him."

The veteran goalkeeper Neil Sullivan has signed a one-year contract extension until 2013 at Doncaster. The 41-year-old's deal which will take him into his 25th season as a professional.

Sullivan began the campaign as second choice behind Gary Woods and then, having reclaimed his place in the first team, found himself back on the bench after Chris Kirkland joined on loan from Wigan. But an injury to Kirkland saw Sullivan back in the team against Blackpool and Portsmouth.