Bullard return gives Hodgson Cup hope

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• More Premier League news club by club

The midfielder is poised to make his first start in 18 months as manager Roy Hodgson attempts to avoid an FA Cup giant-killing at Bristol Rovers.

Bullard, signed by former Fulham boss Chris Coleman for £2.5million at the beginning of last season, played just four games before dislocating his knee and damaging cruciate ligaments in a horrific collision with Newcastle's Scott Parker that was feared could threaten his career.

But the popular former Wigan player has battled through surgery in California and is now ready to add to Hodgson's Cup resources as well as fighting to close a five-point gap to the Premier League safety zone.

Hodgson, without a win in four matches since taking charge, said: 'It's good to have him back and I'm happy for him.

'I admire the way he's worked to recover from his injuries and if he can help the team I'll admire him even more.'

League One side Bristol Rovers, twice in the lead at Fulham, will have skipper Stuart Campbell back from suspension after watching the first game with the fans.

The 30-year-old chose to sit among the 7,000 strong army of travelling supporters who outnumbered the home fans at Craven Cottage, and said: 'I had a great day not just in the ground but on the train home as well.

'As a footballer you don't often get that perspective and that's why I did it. I could have had some tickets behind the dugout with the other players who were not involved, but I thought I would rather sit with the fans.

'A lot of them are really confident we will pull off an upset now, and we know it won't be as easy as they think. But if the crowd at home is half as good as the ones who went to Fulham that will be a massive help.'