Premier League<\/a> leaders.<\/p>\nHowever, Hughes was quick to point out that United\u2019s strength in depth means that his replacement – most likely to be the league\u2019s top goalscorer – Dimitar Berbatov, will still prove a tough task to handle.<\/p>\n
He told reporters: “Having watched his performance last night against Chelsea, I am obviously pleased he is not playing, because I thought he was outstanding.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf Rooney is not available, then that is a positive from our point of view.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut saying that, they have a lot of very good players who can come in and make an impact in his place.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile it is good news you are not facing a world-class striker, they certainly have other talents that can cause you problems as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fulham have started to move away from the drop zone and have been boosted by the return of talismanic striker Bobby Zamora, who scored twice in last week\u2019s win against fellow strugglers Blackpool, which has left the Cottagers tenth in the table.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, Hughes admitted that the club will not start contractual discussions with right-back John Pantsil and midfielder Zoltan Gera until the end of the season, despite both being out of contract in the summer.<\/p>\n
He said on Pantsil, who has not played for the club since February 5: \u201cJohn has been a bit unlucky, and he has gone out of the side.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is one of the players who are out of contract in the summer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have said we will look at the situation at the end of the season.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have negotiated a number of contracts this year because of so many players being out of contract at the end of the season. We have completed most of them, others will have to wait.\u201d<\/p>\n
Gera is another who has been struggling to force his way into the starting lineup, but Hughes appeared more keen that he should stay at the club.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cI would like Zoltan to remain here, but obviously he would like to play on a more regular basis and I can’t guarantee that to any of the players.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe may feel, and we seem to get that message, that he needs to move elsewhere to get more football that he craves.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope that is not the case because I would like Zoltan to stay here and he knows that, but we will have to wait and see.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p>\n
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