Hodgson standing firm on Bullard

Bullard's contract, which has two more years to run, has been the subject of speculation but Hodgson claims the only way the situation could change is if another club came in with a bid for him.

That would throw up the option of Fulham selling 29-year-old Bullard during the January transfer window or offering him a new deal, but Hodgson insisted: "He doesn't need a new contract because he has two years to run on his current contract."

He added: "If he was in the final year of his contract and he was refusing to sign one, that would be causing one or two alarm bells to start ringing.

"But I think, with two years to go in his contract, he knows the most important thing for him is to play well enough to keep his place in the England set-up and to play well enough to help his beloved Fulham climb up the table.

"He knows what he's got to do, he's focused on it, we're happy that we've got him and we'll have him for at least the next two years. We'll worry about the new contract situation when the time comes."

Hodgson admitted the possibility of a bid for Bullard could change the club's stance, but said: "We'll have to take that situation when it comes.

"First of all, he knows he's got to keep his high standards up, he's got to keep playing at the very highest level and he's got to keep hoping his play is helping Fulham as a team win football matches, which will, in turn, help him advance his England career.

"If that continues to happen and other teams come knocking on the door maybe another situation will arise but at the moment we're happy with the situation we find ourselves in.

"He is too and the thing about bridges to cross is that sometimes you are better waiting to cross them when the time comes."