Fulham manager Roy Hodgson is confident defender Brede Hangeland will remain with the club despite continued speculation linking him with a move. Arsenal, Aston Villa and Manchester City have all reportedly expressed an interest in signing the Norwegian, who is still in discussions over a new contract with the Cottagers.

Speaking after Fulham's friendly win over Melbourne Victory, Hodgson said: "He's a Fulham player, he's got a two-year contract at Fulham. We don't really intend to sell him, and he's very happy at the club.

"We've even offered him a new contract, an improved contract, which I think he's mulling over," he said. "Because he hasn't immediately jumped at the chance of a new contract, people are suggesting that there will be some movement. But I will be surprised if he moved."

However, Hodgson accepts there may well come a time when Hangeland moves on to a bigger club.

"Like everything else, Cristiano Ronaldo goes from Manchester United to Real Madrid, Kaka leaves Milan, there's always going to be bigger teams out there than the team you're working for," the former Inter Milan coach said.

People are suggesting that there will be some movement. But I will be surprised if he moved.
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson

"But Hangeland is a very loyal man, he's very happy at Fulham, so it would take a lot to move him, but I can't give a stone-based guarantee that he won't leave us at some stage."

Zamora forecast
Hodgson was also asked about the future of striker Bobby Zamora, after Hull City manager Phil Brown confirmed his club had made a "firm and substantial" bid for the former West Ham United man.

"I don't know anything about it," Hodgson responded. "I spoke to the chief executive yesterday and of course, I spoke to him in the morning, and he may have something different to say when I speak to him tonight. At that stage there had been no offer for Bobby Zamora.

"I don't know if that is just paper talk or they have made a bid for him," said Hodgson. "At this moment in time I couldn't confirm or deny it."

Fulham cruise in Australia
Goals from Andrew and Eddie Johnson and a third from Erik Nevland guided the Londoners to a 3-0 triumph over their A-League opponents at the Etihad Stadium.