Claudio, speaking at the pre-match press conference, said "I think no, I hope no. But it’s not a good month.
“When I said I want to see my team in a bad moment – we have had good steps, against Manchester United, again against Lazio, against Besiktas, each time a good step – now there is another example.
“Leeds, we win one point, then Bolton, Aston Villa. I want to see our reaction. It will be another step. In London, every derby is tight. Every derby is a good match. We know that.
“Fulham are playing very well. They fight well. They have won very good matches. They are sparkling.”
When asked if he would ring the changes, Claudio shook his head and said: “There are very few changes to do. Jimmy there isn’t, Gudjohnsen there isn’t. Veron there isn’t, Makelele I don’t know, Petit there isn’t. But we have Mutu back.”
The doubt over Makelele's fitness is a strange one. He limped out of the game against Villa at half time complaining of a sore hamstring. Now he is in a bad way after suffering from a fever which has left him with a severe headache.
As for Jimmy... well, he is suspended! He picked up a fifth booking of the season at Leeds, resulting in a one match ban. The other three players missing are due to longer term injuries.
The squad that we are taking to Loftus Road is as follows: Cudicini, Sullivan, Johnson, Melchiot, Gallas, Terry, Desailly, Huth, Bridge, Babayaro, Gronkjaer, Lampard, Makelele, Duff, Geremi, Cole, Crespo and Mutu.