Aleksandar Mitrovic returns to boost Fulham frontline against Brighton
Fulham manager Scott Parker will have striker Aleksandar Mitrovic available for their Premier League match against Brighton on Wednesday.
The Serbian missed the Cottagers’ hard-fought 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Sunday after turning his ankle in training, but he has been involved for the last two days and the manager said he is fit for the upcoming match.
Kenny Tete returned from injury to feature for the under-23s on Monday, with Terence Kongolo a week behind, and both are expected to play for the underage team again next week, although they are some way off first-team returns.
Graham Potter could have Adam Lallana, Tariq Lamptey and Adam Webster available again.
Lamptey and Webster took part in training on Monday after missing their side’s 3-0 defeat at Leicester, with Potter remaining hopeful over the duo’s inclusion on Wednesday.
Lallana also took part in training on Monday after going off injured against Liverpool on November 28, and could be involved in the matchday squad.
There is a 33.9% chance of a draw. In simulations where the game is not a draw Fulham, at 36.8%, are solid favorites to beat Brighton & Hove Albion who have a 29.3% chance. In simulation wins, Brighton & Hove Albion upsets Fulham by averaging 9.1 shots and 3.7 shots on goal. They average 1.7 goals in simulated victories vs just 0.3 in simulation losses. Overall, the average simulation score is Fulham 0.9 to Brighton & Hove Albion 0.8.
IFABs annual business meeting is set to approve trials of additional permanent concussion substitutes.
Fulham manager Scott Parker has spoken in favour of introducing enhanced concussion protocols in the game, saying they would help to take the heat off players and medical staff.
Trials of additional permanent concussion substitutes are set to be approved at the annual business meeting of the game’s law-making body the International Football Association Board (IFAB) on Wednesday.
The Football Association has already stated that – subject to approval – it is hoping to introduce the additional substitute at the “earliest possible stage” of the men’s and women’s FA Cup, as well as the Women’s Super League and Championship.
We can confirm that both the #BarclaysFAWSL and @FAWomensChamp would support the trials of an additional permanent substitution for concussions, if approved at the forthcoming @TheIFAB meeting on 16 December.
— Barclays FA Women's Super League (@BarclaysFAWSL) December 14, 2020
It is understood the Premier League is waiting to see the detail of the concussion protocol from IFAB before making a decision. Its clubs are meeting on Thursday, and there could be a vote on when and if to make the change at that meeting.
Parker appeared to suggest a preference for players being able to return if cleared by an assessment.
World players’ union FIFPRO has campaigned for temporary substitutions to be allowed, alongside an extended 10-minute assessment period, after which the temporary sub could be withdrawn and replaced or stay on if the player with suspected concussion is deemed unfit to continue.
However, he said any improvement to existing protocols which might make the whole process more clear-cut would be beneficial.
The Cottagers boss said: “I do think concussion subs may take the pressure off the medical (staff) or the actual sportsmen in the heat of the arena of competition.
Fulham manager Scott Parker believes changes to the rules on concussion will benefit players and medical staff (Neil Hall/PA)
“What comes with that is a real desperation at times to stay on the pitch or (to say) ‘no, I’m going to be alright’. To have that ability to take someone off and then have an option to come back on would be helpful.
“I know, I was that player and I wouldn’t have wanted to come off the pitch no matter what. So if someone had said to me, whether that’s right or wrong, that’s the fact, so definitely if something’s in place that can only help.”
IFAB is also set to provide updates regarding handball and offside.
Proposals for additional substitution trials in cases of suspected concussion supported by The IFAB’s Football and Technical Advisory Panels
Its football and technical panels support further clarification being issued on handball, and it has been reported that the ‘strict liability’ around handball when the hand or arm is above shoulder level will be looked at, along with the wording related to what constitutes an ‘unnatural’ body position in the penalising of the offence.
The agenda also includes a discussion of offside, and how the law could be altered to make the game more “attractive and dynamic”.
The panels said last month that any proposal would need to be applicable at all levels of the game, not just the elite end of the game with access to technology, and be subject to “extensive” trials.
The panels also said the temporary amendment to allow up to five substitutes should continue and be kept under constant review. A number of leagues and competitions have adopted this, with England’s Premier League a notable and controversial exception.
Fulham v Brighton and Hove Albion