Roy Hodgson admits he faces a real battle to keep defensive talisman Brede Hangeland at Fulham after the Norwegian’s stunning season.

Hangeland proved the bedrock of a miserly Cottagers defence that secured a Europa League spot at the weekend, despite a final day 2-0 defeat to Everton.

And with Arsenal thought to be courting the towering central defender, Hodgson has his fingers crossed.

He said: “We will be doing everything in our power to keep hold of Brede.

“Everyone knows that he is a player that we love here.

“He is still contracted to us and we want to keep him.

“We are doing everything in our power – but obviously our power cannot always be compared to the bigger clubs in the country.”

Leon Osman’s two goals left a sour taste to the Craven Cottage Europa League celebrations on Sunday.

But Hodgson reckons that will not last long.

He added: “We really wanted to do things in glorious style but Everton got in the way.

“But I don’t think we will have to work too hard to put this behind us.

“It has been absolutely amazing how we have turned things around.

“We have played some good football both home and away and I always say you end up where you deserve at the end of a season.”

Despite admitting his desire to retain Hangeland, the Fulham boss accepts he will have to boost the ranks if the Londoners are to enjoy similar success next season.

Hodgson added: “We would love to bolster the squad and there is no doubt that we are going to need so me extra players.

“I am sure that there will be a lot of disappointment waiting for us next season – we have got through with a very thin squad this year and we may not get away with that again.”