Defender Bridge makes Fulham move

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

Chelsea defender Wayne Bridge has joined Premiership neighbours Fulham on loan until the end of the season.

Bridge, 25, was concerned his lack of first-team action with the runaway league leaders could affect his England World Cup prospects.

The defender said: "The next few months is an incredibly important period for me to be playing regular football.

"I would obviously love to be part of Sven-Goran Eriksson plans for the World Cup," Bridge added.

Spurs manager Martin Jol said the north London club opted not to pursue Bridge as they could not agree to the defender's demand for regular first-team football.

"It's more about Wayne Bridge than us," said Jol. "He wants to play and we never guarantee players they'll play."

Bridge has only made two appearances since October after returning from an ankle injury he picked up last February in a game against Newcastle, with Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho preferring to play Asier del Horno.

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Fulham manager Chris Coleman said: "With the securing of Tony Warner's services and the signing of Simon Elliott, Antti Niemi and now Wayne I'm more than happy with the way things are progressing,"

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.

Bridge won his 21st cap in England's last match, a 3-2 win over Argentina in a friendly in Geneva in November, a year almost to the day after his previous international appearance.