Fulham: Clark may be loaned out

Fulham boss Chris Coleman today admitted he would allow skipper Lee Clark to join another club on loan if it was beneficial to his recovery from a persistent calf injury.

Clark's recent trip to see a soft tissue specialist in Naples has been declared a success by Coleman and the Cottagers manager hopes the 31-year-old midfielder will be back in action by Christmas.

"It has all been good news since Lee come back from Italy. He had to have a little bit of surgery on his Achilles five days ago but's it's all gone very well," said Coleman.

"The people who treated him Italy say he will play again - it's not a problem. It's important the way we manage him for the next three weeks but all the signs are that he will play again.

"We're expecting him to start running again in another 10 days. If all goes well he should be fit by Christmas.

"I would consider a short loan spell for Lee if it would help his recovery. We'd try anything to get him back as quick as we can and hopefully he'll be the player he was before the injury."

Coleman insists Clark - who has been sidelined since March with the injury - remains a key member of Fulham's squad and rubbished reports linking him with a move away from Craven Cottage.

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