Fulham right-back Paul Stalteri believes the quality of Jimmy Bullard and Brian McBride will help the club avoid relegation.The return of the talismanic duo from injury has boosted Fulham's hopes of avoiding the drop, although they are still five points from safety as the season enters its closing stages.

And Stalteri believes they can still help the Cottagers make a great escape.

"Jimmy coming back has lifted the spirits of the players," said Stalteri. "When he plays he wants the ball, he's a good passer and is probably one of the better free kick-takers I've seen in a long time at any level - whether it's in Germany, Tottenham or in any league. His free-kicks are always dangerous and are always on target.

"Brian is a completely different character to Jimmy, a player like him is such a handful. When I played against him both internationally and at club level, he was always a real handful. At Tottenham the main focus was to stop him because he was such a problem to the centre backs.

"He's a massive player at this club, he gets goals, he keeps the team in possession and he's a typical centre forward who, in this league, does very well. He would do well in any league. Fortunately enough I can now play with him instead of having to play against him."

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