LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 09: Emile Smith Rowe of Fulham celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Fulham FC at Selhurst Park on November 09, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Broadway/Getty Images)
Emile Smith Rowe missed Fulham’s goalless draw with Southampton on Sunday (Getty)
Marco Silva has revealed that Emile Smith Rowe could be in contention to return for Fulham’s Premier League match against Chelsea on Boxing Day.
The 24-year-old was substituted in the second half of Fulham’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield on December 14 and subsequently failed to make the matchday squad for the goalless draw against Southampton at Craven Cottage last Sunday due to injury.
Silva has revealed that Smith Rowe, who has three goals and two assists in the Premier League this season, could return against Chelsea on December 26 or for the match at home to Bournemouth on December 29.
‘Let’s see if he’s going to be ready for Chelsea or for Bournemouth,’ Silva said on Christmas Eve.
‘We really believe he’ll be back soon. It’s matter for us to take a decision if he’ll be at Chelsea or Bournemouth.’
EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by James Marsh/Shutterstock (14656226hn) Emile Smith Rowe of Fulham scores a goal to make the score 1-0. Fulham v Leicester City, Premier League, Football, Craven Cottage, London, UK, 24 Aug 2024
Emile Smith Rowe has scored three Premier League goals for Fulham this season (Shutterstock)
Fulham could also be without Sander Berge and Sasa Lukic, who will both be assessed ahead of their side’s trip to Stamford Bridge on Thursday.
‘We will keep assessing them,’ Silva said.
‘Games are coming thick and fast, it’s not really a long time to prepare and to recover players between one game to the other.
‘It’s a moment of the season that’s been tough in terms of absences, players out, suspended players as well.
‘Of course, if you have all of them we are strong, it’s not going to be an excuse for us.
‘But right now, to be clear about the players is too early, probably, we have to keep assessing them and to take the decision tomorrow.’
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