Fulham Run the Rule Over Litmanen After Bid for Cousin is Turned Down

Fulham have brought in the Finland captain Jari Litmanen on trial and had a bid for the Rangers striker Daniel Cousin turned down, as Roy Hodgson continues to look for ways to upgrade his strike force before the end of the month.

Litmanen, who turns 37 next month, has been without a club since June last year, when he left Swedish outfit Malmö after suffering an ankle injury. But Hodgson, who coached the player during Finland's ultimately unsuccessful Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, remains confident that Litmanen retains the talent to make a difference at Fulham.

"I'm very optimistic he can help us in the relegation battle," said Hodgson. "Jari Litmanen is a world-class professional and still has a lot to give at the top level."

Litmanen who has enjoyed spells with Ajax, Barcelona and Liverpool between 1992 and 2004, said he was looking forward to the challenge. "Roy rang and provided this opportunity," he said. "Let us see how long I am in London and what will take place."

Cousin's agent Willie McKay had also claimed his striker is also keen on playing in the Premier League, but Rangers' manager Walter Smith would only say that he had turned down Fulham's initial bid. Gabon striker Cousin joined joined Rangers from French club Lens last August for around £1m and has scored eight goals in 17 Scottish Premier League matches.

"We've had an inquiry from Fulham," said Smith. "We've turned that down and there's been nothing else since then." Fulham were reported to have made a bid of around £2m for Cousin, and it has been suggested the summer recruit has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave for £3m. "I don't get involved in that aspect of things," Smith said. "If there is a clause we've not reached that level yet."