Tinkerman

CLAUDIO TO TAKE RISK

CLAUDIO RANIERI admits he will risk an FA Cup upset to protect Fulham’s Premier League survival prospects.

The Cottagers boss, known as ‘The Tinkerman’ during his time at Chelsea, is ready to ring the changes when League Two Oldham visit Craven Cottage tomorrow.

Ranieri’s side – who lie second bottom in the top flight – will still be heavy favourites to book a place in the fourth round even if the manager fields a second-string side.

But the Italian says his focus is trained fully on the relegation scrap which will unfold in the coming months.

And he believes that after collecting five points from four games over Christmas – and playing well in the defeat at Arsenal on New Year’s Day – his side’s confidence can survive a cup setback.

Positive

Ranieri said: “The FA Cup is a wonderful cup but, of course, in this moment, the league is too important for us. The Premier League is very important.

“The confidence, of course, can be higher. They train very well, they are positive and that is very, very important for me.” Ranieri will be without centre-back Alfie Mawson, who injured his knee in the victory over Huddersfield, and admits the defender could be facing a lengthy lay-off. He said: “I don’t know when he will come back but everything is being done, already he is rehabilitating and we’ll see.

“I expect he could be out for a while but we have to stay calm and I prefer the player is ready and 100 per cent.” Fulham have been linked with a January loan move for Chelsea defender Gary Cahill.