Now it's full on for Fulham's survival

New signings Leon Andreasen, a tough-tackling Danish international defender, and Brede Hangeland, a towering Norwegian centre-back, are both in the squad for the trip to the Reebok.

And he expects them to make an immediate impact as Fulham, five points adrift of the safety zone, go looking for their first win in 14 League and Cup fixtures.

Hodgson said: "We're not bringing in scrappers. We're trying to bring good players in. But they need to be good players who understand that in our situation they're not coming to Fulham to play the beautiful game or stroll around the field showing off individual technique. They're coming because Fulham are in a difficult situation and they're going to have to roll up their sleeves and help us fight our way out of trouble."

Andreasen is up for the challenge. He said: "If I can do anything to help I will be happy. I'm prepared to give everything I have for this club. It's going to be tough but in my opinion Fulham don't belong where we are now."

Perhaps he ought to have studied the form guide more closely.

Fulham head for the Reebok Stadium on a run of 28 games without an away victory, and away from Craven Cottage they have picked up just 12 points from a possible 84 since the 2-1 defeat of Newcastle at St James' Park on 9 September 2006.

Coupled with just two League victories this season, that is relegation form. Yet Hodgson insisted morale remains high.

He said: "I don't come into work each day seeing miserable faces, I don't see people who are not enthusiastic and energetic about their job.

"Of course, at the top level of sport results are everything. Results breed confidence.

"For people to totally relax and give the best of themselves they need the knife removed from their throat. But you can't remove the knife from the throat until you get results."

It's a Catch-22 situation that Hodgson hopes will be solved either tonight or at home to Aston Villa on Sunday when more newcomers could be wearing white shirts.

Another Norwegian, striker Erik Nevland, was today completing his move from FC Groningen. American forward Eddie Johnson has now received international clearance, and Gabon's Daniel Cousin is "confident" that FIFA will give the green light to his transfer from Rangers even though he has already appeared for the permitted maximum of two European clubs this season.

Finnish midfielder Jari Litmanen, formerly of Liverpool and Ajax, is also training with Fulham after undergoing an ankle operation.

He embodies everything Hodgson is looking for. He said: "Although Jari has not played much football lately you never forget how to play. And when you're as fit as he's going to be, what's to say he won't do a great job for us?"