Fulham boss Roy Hodgson insists Andy Johnson can return bigger and better next season.

Hodgson sees no reason why Johnson, 28, cannot make a full recovery to be a major player for the Cottagers next season.

He said: "He is just relieved in his own mind that they have not only found the problem, they have solved the problem.

"He faces a fairly lengthy spell on the sidelines, but come next season he will join us fully fit, raring to go and with the knee in good condition.

"Andy is an enthusiastic and dedicated footballer. He is still very young with a lot of football left in him."