Fulham defenders unavailable for Palace game

Fulham have defensive concerns ahead of their Premier League return against Crystal Palace.

Denis Odoi is suspended for the game at Craven Cottage after his red card in the Championship play-off final, while Tim Ream and new arrival Alfie Mawson are not fit.

Slavisa Jokanovic believes it will be around a month before £15m signing Mawson is available.

There will be plenty of debuts for Fulham, who brought in 12 players during the summer. It leaves Whites boss Jokanovic with key decisions to make.

“I am not Santa Claus. I don’t need to make anyone happy. My job is to pick a starting XI,” Jokanovic said on the eve of the London derby.

“I try to make hard and great competition between the players. This is the most competitive league in the world and they need to fight for their position in the training ground.”