Hodgson's frustration over FIFA's Cousin ruling

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Rules state that a player cannot appear for more than two clubs in a single season, and Cousin came on for 20 minutes for French side Lens before joining Rangers last August.

The 30-year-old Gabon international, who scored eight goals in 17 games in Scotland, had been training with Fulham while waiting for clearance and Hodgson said: "We are upset that the appeal wasn't granted. It is a great pity for us, but it is also a great pity for him because he was very keen to come to London and play for us."

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Hodgson could have done with Cousin's experience and shot-craft against rival Premier League strugglers Bolton last night.

A 0-0 draw gave him his first point in four League games since succeeding Lawrie Sanchez, but Hodgson might have celebrated a valuable win had his side's lack of firepower not been so exposed.

He added: "This team have far from given up the ghost. This team have far from accepted that they are doomed.

"They believe they can play well and you saw in the first half that if we get our passing movements going, and we can play the type of football we want to play, we can do enough to embarrass opponents even if they're as well-organised and as strong defensively as Bolton are."

Last night, with midfielder Leon Andreasen and especially giant central defender Brede Hangeland making impressive debuts, it was clear that passing and possession are being encouraged under Hodgson.

All that was missing was someone to put the ball into the net but with no on-form or fit striker at his disposal, Hodgson was forced to play Clint Dempsey on his own up front.

And the American, essentially a midfielder, could not apply the final touch when he twice broke free of Bolton's defence early in the first half.

Fulham's vocal support chanted a demand for striking power, and they should get their wish at home against Aston Villa on Sunday as newcomers Erik Nevland and Eddie Johnson will be available for selection.

Bolton manager Gary Megson said: "It was an opportunity missed in terms of it being a home game that we wanted to win, but we didn't have a massive amount of clear-cut chances and we simply didn't play well enough."