Zamora faces lay-off for Fulham

Fulham FC striker Bobby Zamora faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after dislocating his collarbone in Tuesday's 3-2 Premier League defeat at Stoke City FC.

In form
The 28-year-old was taken off early in the second half and his absence will come as a real blow to Roy Hodgson's UEFA Europa League hopefuls, who are waiting to learn how long they could be without their in-form striker. Zamora has scored six in his past eight games including two in the west London side's 3-2 win at FC Basel 1893 on 16 December that clinched their place in the round of 32.

'Very disappointing'
Hodgson was also forced to replace central defender Brede Hangeland, who suffered a recurrence of his knee injury, and is without defender John Pantsil for the foreseeable future after he damaged his posterior cruciate knee ligament in defeat at Chelsea FC on 28 December. "It's very disappointing because [Zamora] has been playing very well," Hodgson said. "We're not being fortunate on the injury front this season." Fulham host UEFA Cup holders FC Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League round of 32 tie on 18 February.