Stoke City -Fulham Preview

May 3, 2010 - 6:49 PM Adam Carroll-Smith STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Roy Hodgson has told his Fulham side to forget the Europa League final and keep up their winning ways in the Premier League, starting with Wednesday's home game with Stoke.

Calls for Hodgson to be named manager of the year have escalated since he steered the Cottagers to their first European final.

Hodgson rested a number of key players during last weekend's 3-2 win over West Ham and looks set to protect his best players ahead of their showpiece final with Atletico Madrid.

But the former Inter Milan boss insists he is still targeting a top 10 finish in the Premier League and has urged his players to maintain their focus on domestic matters.

Hodgson said: "Although it is difficult in the immediate aftermath of the semi-final against Hamburg to think of anything else but the meeting with Atletico Madrid that lies ahead, we must complete our domestic season.

"It is still a very real objective to finish in the top 10 and I believe it is healthy to retain this target.

"The remaining matches will play an important part in our mental and physical preparation for the final, so to maintain a winning mentality throughout would certainly be of benefit."

One player who looks certain to miss out for the Cottagers is influential striker Bobby Zamora, who is struggling with an Achilles problem, but Hodgson has an otherwise clean bill of health.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has endured a tumultuous week with rumours of in-fighting among players and a public attack on him from striker Dave Kitson, but the club's player of the year Matthew Etherington insists morale remains good.

Etherington said: "I have never known a team spirit like this. They are a great bunch of lads \2013 very honest, hard-working and with great ability.

"There is nothing wrong with the dressing room. This is a great place to be.

"It is disappointing that things get out in the press, but I'm sure the manager knows who it is and is dealing with it.

"It has been a good season, barring Chelsea, and now it is a matter of ending the season on a positive note against Fulham and try to kick on next season."

Asmir Begovic looks set to continue in goal in Thomas Sorensen's absence, while the club's young player of the year Louis Moult could be handed a first start.