By Fulham should be boosted by the return to form of prodigy Fabio Carvalho after the international break.
But the Cottagers must hope to sign the teenager with a new long-term contract on the ice until at least the end of the year, raising fears his long-term future lies elsewhere.
The teenager, who has scored three goals in five appearances this season, has missed the club’s last seven games with a foot injury.
Fabio Carvalho is set to return from his foot injury in a major boost for Fulham
The 19-year-old attacking midfielder attracts the attention of several big clubs
But it is hoped the 19-year-old will be fit to return for the local derby against the Queens Park Rangers on October 16.
Having collected 13 of a possible 15 points with Carvalho in the squad in Fulham’s unbeaten start to the season, Marco Silva’s side have won just two of their six league games without the youngster.
But Carvalho’s return to fitness will be a major boost for Silva, especially after his disappointing 4-1 loss to Coventry last weekend.
It remains to be seen whether Silva is ready to send his talented teenager straight back to the squad with his imminent return coming amid growing uncertainty over his future at the club.
The England junior international is widely recognized as one of the brightest young players in the country and his performances have drawn great attention from England and abroad, Real Madrid and host of the top 10 clubs in Premier League closely monitoring its situation.
Fulham’s form has collapsed since Carvalho was injured in early September
Marco Silva’s side lost 4-1 at Coventry City on Saturday in another setback
His existing contract expires at the end of the season, but Fulham wants to tie his academy graduate to a new long-term contract.
But as growing interest in Carvalho becomes a growing factor for his future, the player’s decision to change representation would also delay Fulham’s hopes of signing him for a new contract.
The youngster’s existing deal with Unique Sports Management agency is set to expire in January, and it is understood that Carvalho will not even consider signing a new deal with Fulham until his new management team is in place.
This is an obvious concern for Fulham, who naturally wants to tie Carvalho to a new deal given he runs out of contract in July.
