Fulham expect to have Brian McBride back in contention over the Christmas period following the striker's dislocated knee injury.

The Cottagers captain has been sidelined since picking up the injury - which also resulted in a rupture of his quad muscle - when scoring in a 2-1 defeat by Middlesbrough back in August.

But Fulham's head physio Jason Palmer has revealed the veteran American striker remains on course for a December return.

"Brian is progressing soundly following a rupture of his quad muscle which was surgically repaired by the US national team's knee specialist," he told the club's official website.

"At this point in time we are hoping to have Brian back and involved by around Christmas."