Fulham have told manager Roy Hodgson they want him to stay at the club.
Hodgson's current deal runs out at the end of the season and alarm bells started sounding at Craven Cottage when the experienced 62-year-old (below) admitted he had been the target of informal approaches by Sweden and Norway, both of whom have vacancies for a head coach.
But ahead of tomorrow's clash at home against Liverpool, it is understood that talks on a long-term deal have begun.
Fulham's former Anfield star Danny Murphy is still struggling with a knee injury and misses the match. Andy Johnson and Dickson Etuhu are also out but winger Simon Davies could return after a second operation on an ankle complaint.
For Liverpool, top scorer Fernando Torres is expected to start after recovering from a groin strain. But captain Steven Gerrard is a doubt, with manager Rafa Benitez fearing the England midfielder may require surgery on a groin injury.
