Fulham keeper Schwarzer hoping Pogrebnyak can become Zamora alternate

Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is hoping winter signing Pavel Pogrebnyak can fill the void left by Bobby Zamora.

The Cottagers favourite departed Fulham for QPR last month prompting Martin Jol to bring in Russian international Pogrebnyak from VfB Stuttgart and the addition had immediate effect.

The 28-year old scored a brilliant goal on his debut in the 2-1 win over Stoke City on Saturday and Australian keeper Schwarzer hopes he can continue that good form and step into the massive shoes left by Zamora.

"It's always difficult when you lose big players and Zamora scored a lot of goals and his link-up play was invaluable," he told the Daily Star.

"Time will tell. Pavel has had one game and the signs are positive. In training he has been very good but it will take someone special to replace Bobby in the long term.

"Pavel has all the attributes to do that. We're confident he can get better and better. He looks very good and has fitted in easily. His work-rate was excellent and, although you probably didn't see his ability on the ball, his finish was top class.

"His English is not bad but there's a lot of nodding at the moment. He speaks a bit of German and a few of us do too. Communication is not an issue at all."

 

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