Marco Silva has confirmed that Fulham duo Rodrigo Muniz and Kenny Tete will both be sidelined until after the October international break.
Striker Muniz, who signed a new five-year contract at Craven Cottage on Wednesday, missed the 3-1 defeat by Aston Villa last weekend with a hamstring injury.
Right-back Tete, who also committed his long-term future to Fulham over the summer, was similarly absent from Villa Park after suffering a knee issue.
The pair will miss Friday’s game away to Bournemouth, with manager Silva admitting they would struggle to be ready to return to action immediately after the international break.
“Right now, I can assure that Rodrigo is going to be out and Kenny Tete is going to be out too,” Silva said at his pre-Bournemouth press conference on Thursday.
“More than just this game. I believe even after the internationals it’s going to be difficult for them to be ready for the next ones.
“Big miss for us, a big blow for us in terms of two important players, but it is what it is. About how long, we have to wait.”
Silva confirmed that while Tete is indeed sidelined with a knee injury, it is not the same issue that kept him out for four months last season, and the player does not require surgery.
“Completely different. It’s the same knee as last season but completely different,” Silva said.
“The first feedback that we got until now, nothing has changed really.
“We are going to keep progressing him in the same type of recovery, and the surgery is not necessary.”
Muniz’s injury, meanwhile, leaves Fulham short of options up front and Silva has also been left sweating over the fitness of Raul Jimenez.
The Mexican striker will be assessed ahead of Friday’s game at the Vitality Stadium. Jimenez was substituted after 10 minutes against Villa, having injured his hip while heading Fulham into the lead.
“On Raul, we have to have a session and we have to make a decision to assess him today again and see if he’s going to be in condition or not,” Silva said. “Just later, we have to decide.”
Fulham signed 18-year-old forward Jonah Kusi-Asare on loan from Bayern Munich on Deadline Day, but he has yet to play for his new club.
Silva admitted the teenager still needs time to adapt to English football, and said the situation up front was “not the ideal scenario”.
“I know we signed a young lad Jonah, but he’s very, very, very young and will need more time in my opinion,” Silva said.
“He’s a boy who’s just turned 18. The Premier League is the Premier League, it’s demanding. We will see tomorrow. We prepared (for) the season with Raul and Rodrigo. It’s not the ideal scenario.”
