Scott Parker planning ahead

Fulham caretaker boss Scott Parker has confirmed he is already discussing summer signings with the club’s board.

The former Cottagers midfielder took the reins on a temporary basis earlier this month after Claudio Ranieri was sacked. Parker insists he is treating his role as a full-time job but his team face an uphill challenge to survive relegation.

Their defeat to Liverpool last time out means they are now 13 points from safety with seven games remaining in the Premier League.

Parker has refused to give up and he confirms he is planning for the future ahead of Saturday’s game against Manchester City.

He told Sky Sports: “My main focus at the moment is each game as it comes. The only thing I can do is give a good impression, leave a mark.

“I’m treating this role as a long-term role, I was at this football club for a long time as a player and obviously coming back, I believe in what I’m doing and trying to create.

“There’s been conversations [about next season]. Clubs are planning now for pre-season. Signings, whatever that may be, I’m involved in those conversations. We’ll see where that goes.

“The lads have been fantastic. They’ve been very receptive to the ideas and the way we’ve tried to do things. We’ll fight and drive as well as we can to finish the season as strongly as possible.”

Fulham are 17.00 outsiders for the game, while punters can back the draw at 9.00 and City at odds of 1.13.