Fulham manager Chris Coleman placed himself in quarantine ahead of tonight's Craven Cottage clash with Tottenham to avoid a repeat of the illness that led to him being hospitalised almost two years ago.

Coleman, who is understood to be close to signing Spurs midfielder Michael Brown, had to undergo an operation at the start of 2004 after developing blood poisoning following a virus.

The bug affected the leg he had shattered in the car accident that ended his playing career and eventually surgeons had to remove a metal pin.

So when the man known at the club as Cookie was laid low once again he quickly removed himself from the Motspur Park training ground to protect himself and his players.

Assistant manager Steve Kean said: 'He has remembered the last time when he had a heavy virus that was not properly looked after and developed into blood poisoning because of the operations he has had on his legs.

'So any time he gets a virus he has to be very careful, dose up on anti-biotics and stay away from the lads. He has been watching training sessions from the lounge and then gone back to bed.

'I'm sure he will be at the game but the way his immune system is with his leg he always has to be careful.'

The Cottagers, who will kick off in 13th place, 15 points behind their opponents, have struggled on the road but are a far more formidable prospect in front of their own fans.

Kean said: 'Our home form is the sixth best in the league, which it has had to be because our away form has been very poor. Wins breed confidence and we have always picked up points at home.'

Spurs have found it far easier to make an impact away from White Hart Lane and Kean was predicting an open encounter.

He said: 'We have beaten Tottenham at home the last three times we have played them.

'Spurs have scored 14 goals away from home so there could be lots of goals. We know what type of football they play. They try to have the majority of possession and are a crisp, passing team so we have been working this week on getting close to them.'

Kean also revealed that although a number of Coleman's first picks had been strongly linked with other clubs, no bids had actually come in.

He said: 'We have had not one offer from any of the clubs that were said to be interested, which is great. The chairman and the board have given Chris all the confidence that we don't have to get players out of the door before we can bring other people in.'