Roy Hodgson is refusing to give up hope of keeping Fulham in the Premier League with 27 points still to play for this season.The Cottagers have nine games left to play with five of them against fellow strugglers Newcastle, Derby, Sunderland, Reading and Birmingham. First up is a home clash with fifth-placed Everton on Sunday.

"There's a quarter of the season left basically - 27 points - and we've just got to hope we have a good last quarter," said Hodgson.

"Our work ethic and enthusiasm and energy has been very good and I don't see any sign of defeatism or lack of belief.

"I'm hoping that we will show we are a bona fide Premiership club with the mettle, the character and the quality to stay up."

Brought in at the end of last year when Lawrie Sanchez was sacked the 60-year-old Hodgson's reign has so far brought only a win over Aston Villa at Craven Cottage and draws at Bolton and then last Saturday Blackburn.

Next to bottom as a result, Fulham have a six-point deficit to make up to escape.

"I would have liked it to have gone better in terms of results, of course, but in terms of work we've done together and the way people at the club has responded I am happy with that.

"Unfortunately the first two or three results come before you've got your feet under the table."

West Ham, inspired by Carlos Tevez, clambered out of trouble from a similar position last year and Hodgson added: "We just have to try to emulate them.

"I believe the players are going to be up for it - and capable. But let's just concentrate on one game at a time."

Alexei Smertin is available again after shaking off back trouble quicker than originally predicted, but Fulham will again be without Jari Litmanen and Philippe Christanval.

"Statistics don't lie. We are at the bottom because we have not been winning games. We need to start, but we're not yet running out of time yet.

"Everton are fighting very hard with Liverpool for the fourth spot and I certainly would not be surprised if they made it.

"Sunday will be a very hard game against a top-class, well-organised, buoyant side, but our last couple of performances at home have not been bad. We were well-beaten by Manchester United, but not out-classed.

"My mind is so focused on the survival challenge and I've decided to concentrate on the preparation for each game rather than how many points we might need."

Asked whether somebody could do a 'Tevez' and spark a revival, Hodgson said the obvious answer was Jimmy Bullard, scorer of 25-yard free-kicks for the winner against Villa and the late equaliser against Blackburn.

"He's been talismanic since he came in to some extent, but I think we have some quality players, I really do. Maybe Brian McBride will find his goal-scoring form and Eddie Johnson will really start to fulfil the potential that we see.

"But it's unfair to say other Premiership sides are going to come up with their Tevez. We've got to do it as a team and I prefer to flag up that aspect."

Hodgson, who said he instigated a visit from chairman Mohamed Al Fayed to speak to the players in training this week, was also questioned about his own job.

"I'm not aware that my position is under any threat. I certainly don't feel that - I feel the support of the chairman and the chief executive. I think everybody thinks we are doing as good a job as can be expected in the circumstances.

"I'm in a world where your position is put under the spotlight when a couple of results don't go your way.

"The chairman feels very strongly for the club and has been upset by refereeing decisions - he thinks we should be given the points back,

More Football News from TEAMtalk