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Fulham manager Roy Hodgson believes the return of Paul Konchesky and Clint Dempsey could prove vital to the club's hunt for success both at home and in Europe this season.
The Cottagers' attempts to match the heady heights of last season's seventh place finish have constantly been disrupted by injury this year. Injuries to forwards Bobby Zamora and Andy Johnson have denied Hodgson his first choice strikeforce for much of the campaign and the 62 year old has also had to do without several other key players, including Konchesky and Dempsey.
Both players hobbled off against Blackburn in January with ankle and knee injuries respectively, and it had been feared that both would be sidelined until at least next month.
So Hodgson was naturally delighted to welcome back the duo for Thursday night's 3-1 Europa League defeat against Juventus in Turin.
With his side still fighting for honours in three competitions, Hodgson believes the return of the left back Konchesky and forward Dempsey could aid the Cottagers' push for glory at home and in Europe.
The Cottagers now face the difficult task of travelling to Old Trafford on Sunday to take on a Manchester United side brimming with confidence.
The Red Devils are two points clear at the top of the Barclays Premier League and hammered Serie A giants AC Milan 4-0 to progress to the quarter finals of the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Fulham will nonetheless be buoyed by the fact that they pulled off a shock 3-0 win over Sir Alex Ferguson's side at Craven Cottage just before Christmas.
Zamora, who was on the scoresheet in the United win, failed to make an impact in the third round first leg loss at the Stadio Olimpico di Turin.
Fulham's top scorer believes home victories over United and Liverpool (who they beat 3-1 in October), show that they are capable of pulling off a similar upset in the return leg on Thursday.
"We beat United 3-0 and Liverpool 3-1, which are two massive scalps," said Zamora, who has scored 15 goals this season.
"I see no reason why we can't do it against Juventus. "I never thought Juventus really troubled us much, which is why we're so disappointed to concede two goals from set plays. But if we get an early goal next week, it's set up again.
"The crowd will be buzzing at our place, and we still have a lot of hope." Captain Danny Murphy should overcome a groin injury to return in midfield for the United game while Stefano Okaka and Nicky Shorey, who were both cup tied for last night's game, are also available.
