Fulham v FC Basel:ROY HODGSON has denied the Europa League is a distraction as the Fulham boss prepares to alter his selection policy for tonight's clash with Basle.

The Cottagers named a weakened side for their Group E opener against CSKA Sofia but, despite the loss of Damien Duff, David Stockdale, Dickson Etuhu, Simon Davies and Brede Hangeland to injury, Hodgson plans to name a strong line-up tonight.

“If you don’t want distractions then you should refuse the offer to qualify for Europe even if you qualified to do so. There was never any question of us doing that. We certainly don’t see Europe as a distraction, we regard it as an interesting adventure,” said Hodgson.