Fulham may again be denied the inspiring presence of club captain Danny Murphy when they bid to halt a run of three successive defeats at home to Everton.

Murphy hasn't played since last month, when he limped off in the second half against Chelsea with a calf complaint, and the former England international admitted the Everton game might come too soon.

He said: "It's a day-to-day injury at the moment. I'll only come back when it's 100 per cent rather than push it and do more damage."

Better news comes from Welsh winger Simon Davies, who has an outside chance of making the squad to play against his former side after recovering well from an ankle operation.

Davies said: "It's really now about getting my fitness back. I've been working really hard over the last six to eight weeks."

If he doesn't make Sunday, Davies could be on the plane to CSKA Sofia and Fulham's first game in the group stage of the Europa League on Thursday.

He admitted, however, that new recruits Damien Duff, Bjorn Helge Riise, Jonathan Greening and Kagisho Dikgacoi have provided stiff competition for places in midfield despite the extra demands of European football.

Davies said: "It will be a new experience for a lot of us this year, what with playing so many games week-in week-out. The squad will definitely be tested this season. Last year we kept the same sort of team throughout the course of the season, but this year I can see 17 or 18 players pushing for first team football.

"Competition for places is part and parcel of the game, and in any good team you will find that.

"Competition is good for players because you know that you're going to have to work extremely hard for your shirt.

"You have to be on your toes because there is someone else in the squad that can replace you. But it can only be good for the team, and at the end of the day as long as the team is winning and playing well then that's what matters."

Meanwhile, a teenage striker from non-league football is expected to have a dream move to Fulham confirmed later today.

Sutton United's 18-year-old Stefan Payne, who has already scored six goals this season, is understood to have agreed a move initially worth £25,000 but possibly much more to the Ryman League club depending on future appearances.