Jari Litmanen's ill-fated Fulham spell has descended into further farce after the Finland striker was injured in a freak accident at training.Litmanen has yet to play for the Cottagers since his arrival in January as a series of injuries and heart palpitations rendered him unavailable.

Roy Hodgson had hoped he would participate in Fulham's battle against relegation but has been forced to shelve those plans following an incident involving reserve goalkeeper Ricardo Batista.

"Litmanen is the most unlucky fellow I have come across in football," said Hodgson.

"He was training on Monday and due to play a practice match the next day when Batista, who I must say is a very fearsome kicker of the ball, managed to smash it into the back of his head from about four yards.

"It was like a missile, knocking him over and putting him out for the week. It's not a long-term thing but it's knocked him for six."

Former Finland coach Hodgson added: "Jari has been very unfortunate.

"When I first went to the Finnish FA he was standing next to his sporting director at Malmo who opened a can of coke and the top popped into Jari's eye."

Litmanen's latest setback will have stunned Fulham fans who have been left to rue one of the worst signings in Premier League history.

The 37-year-old has played twice for Finland since arriving at Craven Cottage yet has made no contribution to his club, despite being on £15,000 a week.

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