Fulham ‘will not change’ without Palhinha – Silva

Marco Silva insists Joao Palhinha’s absence will not change Fulham’s approach against Newcastle.

Palhinha will miss the game through suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest.

The 27-year-old has impressed since arriving from Sporting Lisbon in the summer, starting every Premier League game under boss Silva, and his suspension will likely see Nathaniel Chalobah or Tom Cairney come into the team and start alongside Harrison Reed in the middle of the park.

“He’s an important player for us, no doubt about it,” boss Silva said.

“He’s settled really well. It’s not a surprise for me because I know him very well and I expected a quick adaptation for him.

“Unfortunately he will not be there, so another one has to pop up and show his quality as well.

“For me, our idea will not change at all. Our values will be the same and the way we prepare the players to play in that position is the same way we prepare Joao.

“It will be a different profile, it will be a different player. We have the solution and the player is working really hard and well and will play, and it is a moment for him to pop up. But as a team, and our idea, we will not change.

“All the players that can play there, they know the role really well. It will not be because they don’t do well that it will not be a good performance.”