Jol eyeing goalkeeping reinforcements

Now that his team are more or less assured of survival, Jol has turned his attention to securing the futures of the tried and trusted players who have helped Fulham earn a mid-table berth this year. Last week Brede Hangeland joined Damien Duff and Philippe Senderos in signing a new deal and the club are now working hard to keep the likes of Mladen Petric and Giorgios Karagounis.

Schwarzer, who has yet to extend his contract beyond the summer, has been in sparkling form this year, but Jol concedes he needs to look at another goalkeeper as David Stockdale and Neil Etheridge are not content to remain as back-up next term. "I don't deny that we are looking for a goalkeeper," the Fulham boss said.

"There is a lot of speculation in the press. I have a young goalkeeper in Neil Etheridge, he is out on loan and so is David Stockdale.

"He doesn't want to be number two so that could be a little problem, so of course we are always looking for a goalkeeper."

Jol dismissed claims that he has reignited his interested in FC Twente stopper Nikolay Mihaylov, and claimed that although talks have dragged on somewhat, Fulham are confident of extending Schwarzer's contract.

"We are talking to Mark Schwarzer like we did with Brede and the other players," Jol added.

"He is a fantastic goalkeeper so you would have to be very good to fill that space.

"We have made him an offer so we are waiting. If he accepts he will stay, if not we will talk again like we did with Brede.

"We are not talking with Mihaylov. Last year we made an approach, but not this year."

Source: PA

Source: PA