Fulham striker Bobby Zamora expects to be placed in cotton wool until the Europa League final.

The 29-year-old, whose 19 goals this season have propelled him into contention for England's World Cup squad, needed a pain-killing injection into his troublesome Achilles to start last night's clash with Hamburg at Craven Cottage.

Manager Roy Hodgson admitted that was something of a gamble, but one worth taking - and indeed it almost paid a swift dividend when the striker went close during the opening minutes.

Zamora was eventually withdrawn just after the start of the second half, and admits he is now unlikely to face his old club West Ham at Upton Park on Sunday as Fulham look to get their main man fully fit for a return to Hamburg's HSV-Arena on May 12.

"I am desperate to be out there for the final, so the next couple of weeks will be really important for me," Zamora said. "Maybe it was a bit of a gamble for me to face Hamburg, but I really wanted to play and would have done anything to do so.

"It was not the best performance by myself, and I am pleased to have been able to play some part."

Zamora revealed: "I can't see me making West Ham, but we will see.

"I just want to make sure I am fit for the final.

"It is the tendon in my Achilles which I have got a bit of trouble with, so it will just be a case of looking after it."