Danny Murphy wary of the absent boss effect

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That was the warning sounded by Fulham captain Danny Murphy, who knows from experience how a manager can seek to inspire his players from his sick bed.

Murphy, who could return to Roy Hodgson's midfield after being out since mid-October with a knee injury, said: "I remember at Liverpool when we had a similar situation with Gerard Houllier in 2001 after he suffered a heart attack.

"It is a very difficult time for all involved at the club but I remember Steven Gerard still feeding back to the squad via phone and through Phil Thompson, showing his commitment even under those circumstances. It certainly had a galvanising effect on the team, and was a real time of togetherness within the squad. It will be the same in the Blackburn dressing room at the moment."

Fulham boss Roy Hodgson, who has previously held the reigns at Blackburn, may be able to go up against his former club with both Murphy and striker Andy Johnson, out for five weeks with a groin injury, in his starting XI.

"It's been good to see them back in training," said Hodgson. "Having them available this week isn't out of the question."