Mitrovic to return for Fulham in FA Cup clash with Leeds

Fulham manager Marco Silva will have Aleksandar Mitrovic fit and available for what he expects to be a “proper cup tie” against Leeds in the FA Cup on Tuesday.

Mitrovic has not featured for Fulham since February 11 due to a hamstring injury, the latest in a string of problems which have affected his return to the Premier League.

Despite the injuries, including an ankle issue which overshadowed the Serbian’s preparations for the World Cup in Qatar, Mitrovic has scored 11 goals for the west London club this term.

“He is a really important player for us, and for me since I joined this football club,” Silva said of the striker.

“As you know, and the results are showing, we are more than just one player and I think winning games and taking important points for us even without our best goal-scorer – and that is Mitro – speaks about ourselves and not just one or two players.

“But of course if you have all of them you are stronger and playing with our best goal-scorer right now we can be stronger.

“We cannot forget – and I never forget – how Carlos Vinicius is fighting, he’s trying to help the team, he’s scored some important goals and he’s improving – and there is room for him to improve and adapt more in this competition.

“Of course Mitro is very important for us and, if he is in a good condition, physical and mental he is always a threat for the opposition sides.”

Fulham have exceeded all expectations this season and lie sixth in the Premier League table, in stark contrast to their opponents on Tuesday, who are one point above the relegation zone.

However, Javi Gracia marked his first game in charge of Leeds with victory over Southampton on Saturday and is no stranger to the FA Cup, having led Watford to the final in 2019.

Silva, though, insists his side will have their full attention on Tuesday’s title, despite being in European contention in the league.

“It’s our goal and our aim. Right now nothing will disturb our focus on the FA Cup match,” the Fulham boss said.

“The position in the table can give us more confidence and to the players that they are doing the right things as well.

“The focus right now is just on the FA Cup match and our aim is to make a good run in this competition.

“Full respect to Leeds, we know what we are going to face tomorrow night and the support they are going to have here again.

“We know what type of support they have and it will be a proper cup tie in my opinion with two good teams. They want to go through and it will be a tough match, but it is our aim to play in the quarter-final of the FA Cup.”