Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has played it safe with Clint Dempsey this off season. The Cottagers boss has had to treat Dempsey's situation differently to other players as he was involved in the US national team's Confederations Cup campaign in June to end a massive season of constant game time.

"The element of fatigue we can't write off," Hodgson told the club's official website.

"We gave him three complete weeks of rest between the Confederations Cup and pre-season training. He didn't come to Australia.

"Is three weeks enough between a really demanding Premier League season, a demanding Confederations Cup and then kicking off again in Europe and the league? I don't think so. I think in an ideal world a player should get five to six weeks complete break."

Hodgson also commented on the amount of improvement Dempsey had shown in recent times.

"During the 18 months I've been at the Club he's got better and better," he added.

"Of course his performances in the Confederations Cup and not least his performances for Fulham in helping us get to seventh place are proof that he's actually becoming a better footballer."