Roy Hodgson has paid tribute to David Healy's "professionalism", as the Northern Ireland striker has battled to get back into the Fulham side.Hodgson was impressed with the striker's impact, after he entered the fray and scored a spectacular goal in the Cottagers' defeat against Sunderland last Saturday.

Healy has been mainly used as a substitute since Hodgson's arrival but the Craven Cottage boss admits the 28-year-old is making a strong case to make his first XI.

He said: "He's really accepted not being in the team very well. I've been very impressed by his professionalism.

"Certainly we haven't had that many goals scored and that many players pushing themselves in front of me saying 'use me; I'm your goal scorer'.

"His shares have risen enormously in value with that wonder goal on Saturday and the fact the he almost scored a second with a header late on in the game."

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