Fulham striker Diomansy Kamara has played his way into staying at Craven Cottage after his double against Aston Villa yesterday.

Kamara's future was on the line this season after struggling for form and also suffering a knee injury.

"We didn't get Diomansy back from the cruciate injury he sustained until February, so he has done exceptionally well to recover as quickly as he has," said Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson.

"He sustained the injury in a World Cup qualifier last June and those injuries take a minimum of six months and often nine months.

"He has been used as a substitute since we got him back but this was his first start. He got his chance because Andrew Johnson is still not fit and Bobby Zamora was not fit enough to start the game.

"He took his chance with open arms. I thought his performance was very good and not just with his goals. He was a constant thorn in the side of the Aston Villa defence.

"He was a model of tactical discipline and the way he played tested the Aston Villa back-four to the limit."