Fulham: Marco Silva left to rue summer transfer struggles as injury crisis deepens | OneFootball

A lack of transfer activity in the summer is beginning to have an impact on Marco Silva’s squad

Fulham’s injury woes have continued to deepen heading into the international break after Sasa Lukic’s withdrawal during their 3-1 defeat to Bournemouth on Friday.

Silva, who opted against handing 18-year-old Jonah Kusi-Asare his Premier League debut, had already ruled out strikers Rodrigo Muniz and Raul Jimenez ahead of their trip to Bournemouth, and the Fulham boss confirmed at full-time that he hoped Muniz would be back before the November international break.

"Rodrigo - let's see if we can have him back before the November international break. Raul won't play for his national team. Let's see if we can have him back soon. We are helping Jonah. We have to react as a team. The reaction was good (after going behind),” Silva said.

Sidelined: Raul Jimenez

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Muniz, who last week signed a new five-year deal at the club, sustained a hamstring injury before Fulham’s defeat to Aston Villa.

The Brazilian has started four of Fulham’s seven Premier League games this season, with Jimenez providing cover up front.

Now, however, with Jimenez also out injured after suffering a hip injury against Villa, Silva is struggling for options in attack.

Kusi-Asare, who joined on loan from Bayern Munich on Deadline Day, is Fulham’s only available senior striker, but Silva remains cautious to bed the teenager into his side, saying last week he needs time to adapt.

Right-back Kenny Tete is also out with a knee injury, and Silva says that while the Dutchman does not require surgery, he will struggle to be available for Fulham’s game at home to Arsenal after the international break.

Harrison Reed was also left out against Bournemouth, but Standard Sport understands that was a technical decision rather than injury-related, and the 30-year-old may be brought back into the fold following Lukic’s injury.

Fulham head into the international break off the back of two successive defeats, while having to contend with a growing injury list.

Deadline Day arrival Samuel Chukwueze made a positive impact off the bench against Bournemouth, assisting Ryan Sessegnon’s opening goal, but as the injuries continue to mount for Fulham, Silva will be left to rue a summer spent struggling to get new signings over the line.