Roy Hodgson is presuming Hamburg will still provide tough opposition despite sacking manager Bruno Labbadia. The Europa League semi-final remains in the balance following a goalless draw in Germany last week and Hodgson is expecting a similar performance from Hamburg at Craven Cottage.

"When you reach a game of this level, with the experience and quality of the Hamburg players, they will be capable of producing a very good performance, whoever the manager may be," said the Fulham boss.

"They have played many, many games together, the assistant has stepped in, so there will not be any vast change of philosophy.

"I am expecting the same type of Hamburg we faced a week ago." Hodgson is proud of the way Fulham have defied the odds to reach the last four of such a big tournament, whilst also securing a creditable mid-table finish in the Premier League.

"Maintaining our momentum in the Premier League was our main concern about playing in this competition, now we are up to something like 58 games already," he said.

"For a club like ours, in terms of squad size, there was concern we would not be able to compete on both fronts.

"I am really delighted we have been able to prove people wrong and in the bargain have beaten some very good teams along the way to this semi-final."

Hodgson added: "It is an outstanding achievement, and I take a lot of pride in that.

"But we are all determined not to fail at this stage and to take the ultimate step to the final, rather than go out as gallant losers."