Fulham manager Martin Jol accuses Bobby Zamora of 'sour grapes'

The 31-year-old was sold to QPR at the end of January’s transfer window after a period in which reports frequently suggested he did not get on with the former Tottenham boss.

Zamora broke his silence this week and claimed he was not the only one to have a problem with Jol, who was surprised that his former charge decided to make such comments.

“It is probably sour grapes,” Jol said ahead of his side’s trip to Southampton tomorrow. “I think nothing is what it seems. Everyone knows me. The players know me so one player will say this, another player will say that.”

He added: “Insiders here know that this probably started after two weeks of me being here.

“There was a few leaks in the paper and I asked him and he said: ‘No, it wasn’t me.’ I knew it was him and his agent 100 per cent.

“He said: ‘No, it wasn’t me, I hate the press.’ He hated defence and later said he hated crosses as well and that was the moment I thought: ‘Maybe it is better to sell’ and that is what we did.”

Southampton boss Nigel Adkins has close to a full squad to choose from for the match with the Cottagers.

Only midfielder Jack Cork is unavailable as defender Jos Hooiveld is fit again.

Elsewhere Manchester City host Sunderland in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off, with the Mackems hoping for a repeat of last season when they were the only team to come away unbeaten from Eastlands after earning a 3-3 draw.

Chelsea look to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League at home to Norwich, while Swansea host Reading, and QPR travel to West Brom with the Rs hoping for their first away win under manager Mark Hughes.

Second-placed Everton travel to Wigan, while in the late kick-off West Ham face Arsenal, who will be looking to bounce back after last weekend’s 2-1 home defeat to Chelsea.

In Sunday’s other games, Liverpool host Stoke, Tottenham meet Aston Villa, and Newcastle take on Manchester United.