Martin Jol admits Dickson Etuhu’s impatience could see him depart in the summer if Fulham receive any offers for him. The Nigerian international has not been able to convince the Whites boss of his worth this season, making only nine Premier League starts – the last of which was against Man City at the beginning of February.

Jol has preferred Steve Sidwell as Danny Murphy’s partner in the holding midfield role and Etuhu was given an even clearer indication that he is not seen as a first-choice player when an injury to Sidwell prompted the boss to draft in Mahamadou Diarra.

Etuhu turns 30 next month and will not want to waste another season and Jol will listen to approaches for the midfielder, who cost £1.5m when he moved from Sunderland in August 2008. He is under contract until summer 2013.

“Dickson is too good to be on the bench,” Jol said. “That is what he tells me and I know that. We will have to find a solution for him.”

“I like Dickson. He is a good player. “But we’ve also got players like Diarra and Sidwell.  “I think Dickson is a defensive midfield player.

The only thing is, Danny Murphy is a link-up player who has played in his position, so that is a bit awkward, because if you play with Dickson, you play with two defensive midfield players.

“He knows that. “He has not been first choice, but in football you never know because if Danny Murphy were to be injured, for example – and, touch wood, he never misses a game – then there will be an opportunity for Dickson again.

“If he plays like he plays in training, the situation can change. But if they are not patient enough, then maybe you have to find a different solution.