Brede Hangeland: 'No Europa League qualifying games will help'

Fulham centre-back Brede Hangeland has said that the extended break his Fulham teammates have had this summer will benefit them this season.

Fulham's season started in June last year in the first qualifying round for the Europa League and Hangeland believes that the extra rest has been "appreciated" by the squad.

"We appreciated having a bit longer off this year," Sky Sports News quotes Hangeland as saying. "Last year it felt like I didn't really have a break so we've had a good rest from football and now we're ready to go again.

"Although it feels like we were here just last week it's nice to come back and find everyone fit and well so we'll just crack on from here."

Hangeland signed for Fulham in 2008.