Fulham have defended their lack of English signings under manager Martin Jol.

Cottagers chiefs insist buying local is just too expensive for a club of their size.

"When you are looking within the UK, the clubs price their players at ridiculous levels, plus their wage demands are too expensive," a Fulham source told the Daily Mail. "But if you are looking at a player in Holland, for example, you can pay them a pretty average Premier League wage of around £20,000 a week and they are absolutely delighted.

"Everyone would love to have an English spine to their team, but we want the best value - and that comes from abroad.

"We would like more English players but not at inflated prices. Look at what Liverpool had to pay to sign Jordan Henderson and Andy Carroll (£35m). Fulham can't compete with that."