Derby County loanee Martin left out of Fulham squad to face Brighton

Striker Chris Martin has again been left out of Fulham’s squad as they host Brighton at Craven Cottage.

Martin pulled out of the Whites’ match at Reading on Friday – which was abandoned at half-time because of fog – and has made it clear he wants to return to parent club Derby County.

But Fulham head coach Slavisa Jokanovic says his club expect Martin to honour the deal, which cannot be ended without the agreement of both clubs.

After the Reading game, Jokanovic said: “I am not going to send him back to Derby. He is going to stay with us, and he is going to respect the contract

“I don’t know if he’s going to play for Fulham – but he’s not going to play for Derby.”

Matt Smith takes Martin’s place for his first league start since September, with Floyd Ayite not in the matchday squad.

Fulham: Button; Fredericks, Sigurdsson, Ream, Malone; McDonald, Johansen; Aluko, Cairney, Piazon; Smith.
Subs: Bettinelli, Odoi, Sessegnon, Parker, Edun, Kebano, Humphrys.