Van der Sar: Watch out for Jimmy

The Dutch team-mates mutually respect one another, yet with the striking power available to Claudio Ranieiri, Hasselbaink's place remains in doubt - something that does not please the Dutch striker.

Van der Sar said: "Jimmy may have been on the bench a lot this season but he is still a quality player.

"You just don't lose that overnight - look at his record at home and abroad.  He's always a threat.

"That said, Gianfranco Zola is the man we have to watch.  He has had an excellent start to the season and is scoring goals too, good goals.

"He only needs half a chance and he can put the ball away and so we have to be very careful to watch him."

Hasselbaink, who scored mid-week against Viking Stavanger in the Uefa Cup said: "It was important to score but in the second-half I missed a sitter.  I'm fit now, though.

"In fact I've been fully fit for the past two weeks.  I need to play week in, week out and then Jimmy will definitely be back."

Fulham striker Stephane Marlet warned The Blues: "Chelsea are our biggest rivals but we've only lost one game this season.

"We must keep the same spirit we showed against Split."

Van der Sar continued: "We owe Chelsea one after last year - that was painful for us.  The result against Split was a very good one but we must be careful not to get ahead of ourselves.  We want to beat Chelsea because it's a big game, very important to our fans.

"In Europe, well, it is still too early in the Uefa Cup.  We need to have a good run so that we can establish the name of Fulham in Europe, so that we can attract good players to the club."