Bettinelli Ruled Out But Boost For New Boy

Fulham’s Marcus Bettinelli has been ruled out for the rest of the season but Havard Nordtveit could face West Ham this month. Goalkeeper Bettinelli, who received a surprise England call-up in September, has been managing a knee injury all season long.

The club’s medical staff took the decision, after a consultation with a specialist, to recommend that Bettinelli should undergo surgery to sort out the problem.

Fulham’s manager of first team medical and sports science Marco Cesarini has not put a timeframe on his return but the goalkeeper is likely to miss the rest of the season.

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There is better news on the medical front concerning Nordtveit, who was signed in January from Hoffenheim, but is still waiting to make his debut for the club. The 28-year-old Norwegian fractured his ankle while playing in a Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk in November and then picked up a shin injury after arriving in London.
However, he is now in full training and should be under consideration by the time Fulham return to Premier League action against West Ham on February 22.