Ashkan Feeling Strong

FulhamFC – LONDON, Having recovered from injury, Ashkan Dejagah is now raring to go for the start of the new Barclays Premier League campaign.

The winger saw his 2012/13 season ended in April after suffering an ankle injury against Queens Park Rangers. But after playing a big part in Fulham’s pre-season schedule, the Iran international is ready to rumble when the Whites begin the new term at Sunderland on 17th August.
Speaking after Fulham’s 1-1 friendly draw with Real Betis at the Cottage on Monday night, Dejagah told the official website: “I feel fine. I have no pain. The game was good for me – I played for more than an hour and it was great for my rhythm so I’m happy. I’m ready for Sunderland.”

Dejagah impressed on the left flank in the fixture with Betis and continued: “It was a good game. Betis are a decent team who play nice football.

It was a good game for us. We played well, but we can play better. Betis was the first game back at Craven Cottage and I think the fans enjoyed the match. I enjoyed it too.

“We have less than two weeks before the start of the new season and we play Parma on Saturday so this week in training we’ll work hard.”
Fulham entertain Italian outfit Parma this weekend with Dejagah expecting a different test to the one posed by the Spaniards as the Whites look to secure a favourable result in their final pre-season friendly of the summer.

“It won’t be the same as the Betis game,” he said. “In Italy they don’t play as good football as they do in Spain but they’re very good in other ways. It will be a decent test for us in our last friendly game.”

It’s coming up to a year since Dejagah joined Fulham and the star is looking to help the Whites improve on last season’s 12th-placed finish in the league.

He added: “It’s unbelievable that it’s nearly been a year since I arrived. It’s gone so fast here in London. I enjoy the football here with Fulham. I like the fans and Craven Cottage so I’m happy. I cannot wait to start the new season.

“We have a good team. We showed that at times last season. We have to concentrate in every game from the first minute. The team is fit and we are confident of a good season.”