Marco Silva is ready to call upon the services of Aleksandar Mitrović against Everton on Saturday.
Last week was the first time we’d seen our number nine in pre-season action, and when asked if he’s available for our Premier League opener, Silva replied: “I’m 100 per cent sure.
“Mitro was able to play two games last week. He played behind closed doors 60 minutes against Hoffenheim.
“We played two games against Hoffenheim last week. And, after, he played 30 minutes against Hoffenheim again at the Cottage.
“We wanted to give at least 90 [minutes] for him in two days, and we did it, like we did with Andreas Pereira, like we did with Tim Ream as well. And that's it.
“This week again [Mitrović] was working every single day with his teammates. And that's it. He's ready to play, if I'm going to decide to start with him or not.”
Earlier this summer, media reports circulated that the striker had spoken of his intention not to play for the Club again.
In addition to confirming he had heard no such comment from the player, Silva said that Mitrović is showing “100 per cent” commitment around the Training Ground.
“We had a moment where I spoke with him,” he explained. “I know him very, very well.
“I will not hide from you that one offer that he received made him think, made him probably take some type of decisions.
“About not playing one more minute for Fulham, he never said [that] to anyone inside this football club. If this is what the press said or what his relatives said, I'm not sure. For me and for the Club, he never mentioned that. Never.
“But okay, people can say what they want. It was a situation where he had a clear offer from a club, a very good offer for him, and sometimes it's not easy for them to keep the focus, even if you want them to keep the focus.
“Since he started to work with his teammates again, on the pitch again, he’s been the Mitrović that I know.”
