Andy Johnson injury woes

Andy Johnson injury woes

Furious Fulham boss Roy Hodgson blasted the challenge that has left Andy Johnson out for up to eight weeks with a dislocated collarbone.

Hodgson was livid after Amkar Perm defender Dmitry Belorukov executed a cynical body-check that left Johnson sprawled on the pitch in the second half of the 3-1 Europa League play-off victory.

Johnson had to be helped off with his arm dangling and Hodgson, who claims Belorukov should have been sent off, is now resigned to losing his star striker for up to two months.

"It was a good win against a difficult team but the game has been marred by the unbelievably blatant challenge on Andy Johnson," he said.

"It has dislocated his collarbone and put him out for a long time.

"In these times when referees are supposed to be clamping down on challenges, you get a challenge like that which goes punished with a yellow card and we lose a player for eight weeks.

"I don't think there's any doubt the defender should have been sent off.

"If you commit blatant fouls that not only stop someone from going one on one with the keeper, but also put them in hospital, there's a good chance you'll get a red card."

Fulham host Chelsea in Sunday's west London derby before embarking on the second leg against Amkar next Thursday and Hodgson admitted losing Johnson is a bitter blow.

The former Everton striker scored the first after just three minutes and linked superbly with Bobby Zamora, who set him up before firing his own way onto the scoresheet.

"The best part of our game by a long stretch was the ability of our front two to cause them so many problems," said Hodgson.

"They both scored and Bobby set up Andy's goal but now that partnership is broken up for the foreseeable future.

"We're looking to sign another front player so we'll consider bringing someone in, but that's not because Andy is injured but because we needed another front player anyway."