Ireland international winger Damien Duff is due to return to training next week as he steps up his recovery from a calf injury that forced him to miss Ireland's recent European qualifiers against Russia and Slovakia.
The 31 year old Dublin born international has been sidelined for the past month, but could be back for the home clash with Aston Villa on Saturday week.
Fulham Boss Mark Hughes said: "He should be joining in training on Monday and by the weekend we're hoping he'll be an option for us."
It remains to be seen if Duff will be fit enough for inclusion in the Ireland squad for the upcoming friendly against Norway on November 17th.
Ireland under 21 International Marc Wilson was named the Portsmouth man-of-the-match for the Premier League opener against Fulham last Saturday. Pompey lost 1-0, but Wilson looked assured alongside Sylvain Distin in the centre of defence.
He could do nothing about Fulham's winner, a Clint Dempsey shot which took a massive deflection off Bobby Zamora's back to deceive David James. But the young County Antrim born Irishman made some key challenges and clearances to ensure the Cottagers did not score again.
Wilson will be focused on cementing a regular start for Portsmouth this season and has shown great versatility in operating at right-back, centre-back & right-midfield for Pompey during the pre-season.
Wilson will also be hoping to catch the eye of Ireland international manager Giovanni Trapattoni and possibly earn a call-up to the senior squad. Portsmouth boss Hart admits Wilson is still far from the finished article, but he has challenged the Ireland man to keep hold of his spot.
"obviously it would have been a bit nerve-wracking for him, but he coped well in two positions.
"He did well in pre-season but I thought he tired a little in the last 20 minutes. He's a young boy who is learning his trade.
"He's a good defensive midfielder as well as a defender, so he has plenty of strings to his bow.
"Marc is in the team and the way I've always been brought up is if you've got the shirt, keep it.
"That's done by performance and Marc is no different to anyone else."
Fulham have completed the signing of Newcastle's Ireland winger Damien Duff for an undisclosed fee.
The 30-year-old made his name at Blackburn, where he played under current Fulham boss Roy Hodgson, before moving to Chelsea for £17m in 2003.
Duff then moved to Newcastle in the summer of 2006 for £5m.
"I am delighted to add a player of his calibre to our squad and welcome the further midfield options he provides us with," Hodgson told Fulham's website.
"I have known Damien for over a decade since he broke into the first team at Blackburn when I was manager, so I'm fully aware of his qualities and I am looking forward to working with him again."
Duff added: "I know that having spoken to the manager in recent days that the club's ambitions remain high and I am looking forward to the challenges ahead."
Fulham manager Roy Hodgson hopes to seal a deal for Damien Duff after confirming his interest in the Irish winger.
Hodgson has stated that Fulham are in discussions regarding the former Chelsea man, who previously worked under the Cottagers boss at Blackburn.
Duff, 30, is said to be keen on a move back to London and he could be on the verge of a reunion with his ex-manager.
"The clubs are talking and I hope the deal will go through. He's a player that interests us," said Hodgson.
"Damien and I go back a long way from when we worked together at Blackburn. He wants to come back to West London.
"Damien had injury problems at Chelsea and has done well at Newcastle given the turmoil there.
"Every time he's played for Ireland he's consistently been one of their best performers.
"We know what we'd be getting with Damien - he's an experienced and quality player."
Ireland defender Stephen Kelly has become Fulham manager Roy Hodgson's first summer capture after leaving Birmingham City to sign a three-year deal at Craven Cottage.
"I'm delighted to have joined a progressive club which has recently achieved its highest ever top-flight finish," the defender said.
The 25-year-old made six appearances while on loan at Stoke last season.
He also played every minute of Blues' unsuccessful fight against Premier League relegation in 2007-8.
Kelly missed much of the early part of last season with a thigh injury and was allowed to leave for a temporary stint with Tony Pulis's Stoke side in February, after the arrival of fellow Ireland international Stephen Carr and Portsmouth's Djimi Traore at St Andrew's.
But he made only two starts for the Britannia Stadium side as he found his way into the side blocked by the solid form of right-back Andy Wilkinson.
He will compete with John Pantsil for the same role at Craven Cottage and will face a similarly tough task to win a regular first-team slot after the Ghana international missed just one game of the west London side's Premier League campaign.
"Stephen is a talented young full-back with experience of playing in the Premier League as well as competing at international level," said Hodgson.
"He will be a useful addition as we look to improve our squad ahead of the start of next season and I am hopeful that we will be able to announce further additions in the coming weeks."
Kelly is a graduate of Tottenham's youth academy and played 44 times for Spurs before heading to Birmingham in a £750,000 switch in June 2006.
