Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri says Aleksandar Mitrovic is up for their weekend clash with Newcastle United.

Mitrovic left the Toon last summer for the Cottagers.

Ranieri said, “I hope when a player goes back to a previous club he wants to show something more and at Newcastle he didn't do a good job.

“It's not easy to adapt to English football but I hope he has an outstanding match."

The Italian added: "My players continue to fight and it's my job to give them confidence. I believe we'll be safe in the end.

“In every country there are teams at the bottom and they are safe. When I start my career in Serie A (at Cagliari) at the end of the first round we were bottom.

“At the end we were safe one week before the end of the season. It's important to work hard.

"In every match, we start so strongly and fight until the end. If you continue in this way, you can do something good."