Healy may receive the green light March 07 2008
David Healy may have an opportunity to prove himself as Fulham's first-choice forward on Saturday in the absence of Jari Litmanen.
The Cottagers visit Blackburn in the Barclays Premier League in dire need of points to salvage their plight at the bottom of the table - with the likelihood of relegation increasing as time runs out.
Roy Hodgson's team's cause will not be helped by the unavailability of Litmanen, who is back in his native Finland having new insoles made for his boots to cure a muscle strain.
While Hodgson is left to bemoan the absence of the 37-year-old striker, opportunity knocks for Healy - who has been considered for a loan move as he struggles to catch his manager's eye.
Hodgson, hoping Litmanen will soon be fit again, said: "It is frustrating for him and it is frustrating for me because it would give me another element in the competition for places up front."
It means, however , that Northern Ireland international Healy could be back in the reckoning.
He has been linked with a loan move to a number of Championship clubs - but Hodgson has made it clear he wants to retain the former Leeds striker and has subsequently rebuffed any enquiries.
"Lots of people would like David and that is not surprising because he is a proven goalscorer," he said.
"There are teams in the Championship who are looking for promotion or to avoid relegation - but I would prefer to keep David with me.
"I have told him that and he is happy to stay with us, so I have turned down their inquiries."