Hodgson - Bullard must wait

Bullard: Must keep performing

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Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has reiterated that Jimmy Bullard will have to wait for a new contract.

Bullard is under contract at Craven Cottage until 2010 and expressed a wish to discuss an extension during pre-season.

The midfielder acknowledged his disappointment that the club were not willing to enter into talks, but Hodgson feels there is no rush.

"He doesn't need a new contract because he has two years to run on his current contract," said Hodgson.

Beloved Fulham

"If he was in the final year of his contract and he was refusing to sign one, that would be causing one or two alarm bells to start ringing.

"But I think, with two years to go in his contract, he knows the most important thing for him is to play well enough to keep his place in the England set-up and to play well enough to help his beloved Fulham climb up the table.

"He knows what he's got to do, he's focused on it, we're happy that we've got him and we'll have him for at least the next two years. We'll worry about the new contract situation when the time comes."

However, Hodgson conceded that an offer from another club for Bullard, who was called into the England squad last month, could see the situation change.

Happy

He added: "We'll have to take that situation when it comes.

"First of all, he knows he's got to keep his high standards up, he's got to keep playing at the very highest level and he's got to keep hoping his play is helping Fulham as a team win football matches, which will, in turn, help him advance his England career.

"If that continues to happen and other teams come knocking on the door maybe another situation will arise, but at the moment we're happy with the situation we find ourselves in.

"He is too and the thing about bridges to cross is that sometimes you are better waiting to cross them when the time comes."