Fulham 'to take Bridge on loan'

Bridge is hoping for a place in England's World Cup squad

Chelsea defender Wayne Bridge is set to join Premiership neighbours Fulham on loan, according to newspaper reports.

The 25-year-old had been linked with a move to fourth-place Spurs but Blues boss Jose Mourinho now appears happy for him to join the 12th-placed team.

Bridge is believed to be concerned that his lack of first-team action could affect his England World Cup prospects.

A Fulham spokesperson told BBC Sport the club is keen to add new faces in January, but did not comment on Bridge.

Bridge has only made two appearances since October after returning from an ankle injury he picked up last February in a game against Newcastle.

Although Mourinho is content with keeping Bridge happy by loaning him out, it is believed he is unlikely to sell the player, who was a £7m capture from Southampton in July 2003.

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If Chelsea do decide to loan Bridge out, it would leave them with just Asier Del Horno as left-back, although they could re-shuffle their squad to cover.