Dickson puts the pressure on Bullard

Jimmy Bullard is battling to double his pay at Fulham but the midfielder may not even be able to reclaim his place in the starting line-up after the emergence of Dickson Etuhu, writes David Smith.

Bullard, chasing a reported £50,000 a week, has missed the past two games after suffering a dead-leg but could be fit for the visit of Blackburn on Saturday.

Etuhu has impressed alongside Danny Murphy after winning his fitness fight following a long-term knee injury and the skipper said: "Dickson's a different type of player to Jimmy but he's a good player. He's a bit more defensive, which means maybe I have more responsibility to get forward.

"He's working hard at getting his full fitness, so whether I play with Dickson or with Jimmy it just means I have to adapt my role."