Fulham struck by sickness bug before Championship derby against Brentford

Fulham have been hit by a ­sickness bug ahead of Saturday's west London derby against rivals Brentford.

Captain Tom Cairney and defender Steven Sessegnon are among several players who have been struck down this week.

Fulham travel to Griffin Park with their hopes of automatic promotion to the Premier League fading after back-to-back defeats at the hands of top-six rivals Bristol City and Preston left them 11 points off the top two.

Manager Scott Parker said: "We had a bit of sickness bug which some of the players got. Tom Cairney and Steven Sessegnon trained today lightly, so they’ve come out the back of it.

“Hopefully, fingers crossed, they’ll be okay for the weekend.

“Other than that, we are where we are with the injuries that we’ve picked up over the last few weeks.

“It’s disappointing and leaves us a little bit stretched, but at the same time with people coming in it gives them the chance to show what they can do.”

Brentford are one point outside the play-off places and a run of seven wins in their last 10 matches has moved them into promotion contention.