Hughes set to land Fulham job this week

Mark Hughes is set to be confirmed as Fulham's boss in time for the club's pre-season friendly at Portsmouth this weekend.

Owner Mohamed Al Fayed is understood to have agreed terms on a three-year deal for the former Manchester City and Blackburn boss to succeed Roy Hodgson.

Sven Goran Eriksson is a late contender for the post as he has been desperate to return to Premier League management.

But the Swede is believed to have scuppered his chances by seeking £3million-a-year to take the job which make him the highest-paid Fulham manager ever.

Hodgson's trusted former no.2, Mike Kelly, is now expected to link up with the new Liverpool boss after staying in London to hold the fort while Fulham sorted out a new man.

Last season's Europa League finalists returned to London from their pre-season tour of Sweden yesterday.

Hughes' first job will be to sort out the futures of eight players with just a year left on their contracts.

He will also decide whether to sanction the sale of 37-year-old keeper Mark Schwarzer to Arsenal and the arrival of midfielder Steve Sidwell, with whom terms have already been agreed.

Fulham have already turned down a £2million bid from Arsenal for Schwarzer but Schwarzer has indicated to the west Londoners that he is interested in a move to the Emirates where Arsene Wenger is seeking an experienced no.1.

Fulham are also understood to be among the teams interested in signing Portsmouth striker John Utaka and on-loan Spurs striker Eidur Gudjohnsen on a permanent deal.