Dempsey back to Fulham on short-term loan; Michu out for six weeks

United States forward Clint Dempsey is rejoining Fulham on loan for two months from Major League Soccer’s Seattle Sounders, the struggling Premier League club said on its website (www.fulhamfc.com) on Tuesday. The 30-year-old, who can play as a deep-lying striker or in midfield, returns to Craven Cottage having previously joined the west London club in January 2007 from New England Revolution. Dempsey, who moved to Seattle from Tottenham Hotspur in the close season, scored 60 goals in 225 games in over five seasons at Fulham which included reaching the 2010 Europa League Final. He was voted Fulham’s player of the season in 2011-12 for the second straight season before moving to Spurs and the club will be hoping he can quickly recapture his best form as they battle against relegation under new manager Rene Meulensteen. [caption id=“attachment_1306625” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Getty Images[/caption] Fulham are second from bottom of the table with 13 points from 17 games, level on points with Crystal Palace and one point from the safety zone with Sunderland three points adrift. They visit Norwich City on Thursday and Hull City on Saturday. MICHU OUT FOR SIX WEEKS Swansea City striker Michu faces ankle surgery that will rule him out for six weeks and may push the injury-hit Welsh club to seek a replacement in the January transfer window. The Spaniard underwent a scan on his injured ankle after missing Sunday’s 2-1 home defeat by Everton. The 27-year-old, who has scored six goals in all competitions this season, has had ankle and knee problems in recent months. “It’s not good news,” manager Michael Laudrup told the club website (www.swanseacity.net) on Tuesday. “Unfortunately it has been confirmed that he will need an operation. “The good news is that it can be done in the next week - and he should be back playing in around a month and a half. “But what has happened in the last couple of weeks has changed things. We will probably do something now - in January - and try to add something that we don’t have in certain positions,” said Laudrup. “The numbers are a bit down and that is risky for the last four months of the season.” Laudrup said he could sign Spanish forward Iago Aspas, 26, on loan from Liverpool. “He is an interesting player but he is at Liverpool and they have injuries as well so that might not be possible,” he added. “We are looking at other options.” Swansea, 11th in the Premier League, face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Thursday. They then travel to Aston Villa on Saturday before hosting free-scoring Manchester City on January 1. The club have received a boost after Welsh defender Ben Davies, 20, signed a new contract until 2017. Laudrup said: “He’s a very positive story. Not just for us but for Welsh football in general because it must be nice to see one of your own coming through. “He came in and took his chance and the rest is history. He is doing well, playing for the national team and is still young.” Reuters