Parker likely to miss first Fulham game

Fulham captain Scott Parker is unlikely to be fit in time to play on the opening day of the season as he recovers from ankle surgery.

The 34-year-old former Tottenham and England midfielder had a couple of pieces of bones in his ankle removed after suffering discomfort towards the end of last season.

Whites boss Kit Symons said Parker would continue his rehabilitation in London and not travel on the club’s pre-season tour to Austria next week, making him unlikely to be match fit in time for the first Championship game at Cardiff on 8 August.

Symons, who has denied reports linking Parker with a move to Bournemouth, said: “He was able to put 80% of the weight on and came through that pretty well.

“If he’d been a little bit higher on that we’d have taken him to Austria with us on Monday but he’ll stay behind and continue this work.

“He won’t be ready [for the start of the season] because he won’t get up to speed in time.

“But he’s progressing well. I speak to him every day and he’s quite happy with it, the physios are pleased with him. It’s all looking quite positive.”

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