Fulham boss Roy Hodgson has explained the thinking behind Giles Barnes' loan deal from Derby County.

"Giles is a gamble on the basis that he was out for a long time with his patella injury," Hodgson told fulhamfc.com. "He's got back in the last couple of months and got back into the Derby side and has actually done quite well, often as a substitute, but he's done well.

"I remember watching him play two years ago, before the injury and he stuck me as being a very exciting talent. I don't think he's as fully fit as he could be at the moment but that's our job to help him work on that. In Giles we've got a very exciting player because he's got skill which maybe the other players don't have. He's a good runner with the ball, he's very much and offensive midfield player.

"So bringing him into the Club was a very simple decision to make. We really don't have very much to lose by bringing him here and we do have a lot to gain. It's the same for him as well, he doesn't have a lot to lose by coming to join us but he does have a lot to gain. It's a nice situation to be in because we're motivated to getting him going and he's very interested to show what he can do in the Premiership."