AMSTERDAM – Fulham boss Kit Symons is confident that defender Tim Ream will be back from a hamstring complaint by next weekend at the latest.
The US international pulled up lame during the second half of a recent friendly appearance against Costa Rica and has missed the Cottagers' last two Championship contests.
However, Ream made his initial return to full squad practice in time to bid for a place in the team when Fulham hosts a regional derby with Danny Williams and Reading on Saturday.
"Tim was out training today," Symons told Fulham's official YouTube channel on Friday morning. "He trained the first part with us and then went with the physios, so he's looking good.
"It was a tightening of his hamstring, which forced him to come off in his game for the USA. We got him scanned when he came back and he's had a lot of treatment, so we're hopeful he can be in contention for Saturday. Certainly the following week, if not."
Since arriving on a transfer from Bolton, Ream has worked six league matches and a pair of Capital One Cup tilts, with all but one coming as a center back. Thirteenth-place Fulham are currently winless in four, with consecutive draws logged during the American's recent absence.
