Bobby Zamora expects fight for Fulham starting role

Zamora will hope he can force his way back into both the Fulham team and the England set-up (GETTY IMAGES)

Fulham striker Bobby Zamora does not expect to walk straight back into Mark Hughes' starting XI despite scoring his first goal since returning from a broken leg.

The England international, who came off the bench to slam home a decisive penalty in the 3-2 over Blackburn on Saturday, told the club's official website that the number of options available to Hughes mean that nobody is guaranteed to start.

"There are so many attacking options now I don't expect to come back in," said Zamora. "I'm happy to play my part coming on off the bench."

A recent run of good form has steered Fulham away from the relegation battle and Zamora feels that Hughes now has a squad brimming with quality players to select from in the closing weeks of the season.

"Just looking at the bench, it's frightening. The options are brilliant and I think anyone can go in and do a good job. You have to be on top form every week in training to be able to get in that starting eleven."

Zamora signed a new contract at Fulham back in September before breaking his leg the next day in a match against Wolves.

It was initially feared that he would not play again this season but the ex-Tottenham forward believes the club's medical staff have helped him return ahead of schedule.

"I've been pretty lucky all through my career not to pick up anything major and I suppose that was my time but we've got a good medical team and I managed to come back."