Hodgson keen to end Ranieri hoodoo

Posted Thursday, October 22, 2009 by PA

Roy Hodgson is aiming to inflict defeat on Claudio Ranieri for the first time in his career when Fulham host Roma in Group E of the Europa League.

The Cottagers are top of the group, one point ahead of Basle and Roma and Hodgson is looking forward to renewing acquaintance with Ranieri who he has faced in both Italy and England.

Hodgson said: "We were very friendly when he was at Fiorentina and I was at Inter.

"He's one of the coaches I have had a very good rapport with.

"I'm pleased to see him back and working at such a club but I would have preferred not facing such a quality coach this week."

Hodgson could rest players following the win over Hull on Monday and with the Barclays Premier League trip to Manchester City coming up on Sunday.

"It is the league that counts and we make no apologies for resting players because that is our priority," he said.

"At the same time we are trying our very best and so far have done well in both."

Danny Murphy has a knee injury and could be out until after the next international break, while Kagisho Dikgacoi is not on the UEFA list of registered players in the squad. Toni Kallio (Achilles) and Simon Davies (foot) will also miss out, along with Dickson Etuhu and Andrew Johnson.

Fulham will be under pressure to secure Hodgson on a long-term contract after it emerged he turned down approaches from Norway as well as Sweden.

The 62-year-old's current deal at Craven Cottage expires at the end of the season.

Ranieri is refusing to rule out an eventual return to the Premier League.

The former Chelsea manager also scheduled a visit to Stamford Bridge to see his former club face Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Blues fans still hold him in high regard after he was sacked as the Roman Abramovich reign took shape - and the Italian will not close the door on coming back to England later in his career.

"If it wasn't for Roma, there were chances to come back and manage an English club," he said.

"Maybe in the future I could come back."

Ranieri is without Francesco Totti for the clash at Craven Cottage. The Roma boss is expecting jeers from Fulham fans because of his affiliation to rivals Chelsea.

"They will see me as an ex-Chelsea man but for me it is always a pleasure to come back here," he said.

Regarding his visit to watch Chelsea, he added: "I will be a guest of Mr (Carlo) Ancelotti, but the tickets will be from Mr Abramovich."