Fulham boss Martin Jol has defended his foreign transfer policy.

He revealed he had been forced to assemble a squad made up almost entirely of foreigners because Fulham can't afford homegrown players.

"I always wanted to have an English spine but it is too costly," said Jol. "It is almost impossible to pay those prices, so I have to be inventive.

"I admire Newcastle's Frenchmen - they remind me of Arsenal. They have done ever so well with their French players. Now we are a cosmopolitan team also."