Midfielder pleads for chance to impress

Midfielder Bjorn Helge Riise has told Fulham boss Roy Hodgson he is ready to make an impact in the Premier League.

Riise has been restricted to just one league appearance as a subsititute at West Ham so far since joining the Cottagers from Lillestrom in the summer.

But the midfielder has produced some impressive performances in Fulham's Europa Cup campaign and is hoping to be given his chance in the league sooner rather than later.

He told the club's official website: "I have to take every chance that I get, so if it's the Europa League or a training match, I just have to play my best in the chances I get. I'm going to work hard in training and then the manager will pick out the best team.

"That's part of the team game, when you play with so many good players like you do at Fulham, you just have to train hard, do your best and at some point you will get your chance - and then you have to take it. The manager talks to me and lets me know when I do well and when I have to improve. I think it's important to get feedback."

He added: "I like competition, I think that makes everybody a better player because then you have to be your best in every training session. Of course you have a lot of games as well so it's good for everybody.

"We've played well in recent games and I think the confidence in the team is good. With the games coming up, if we play the same way as we have done, we're going to get points.