HODGSON FEARS BIGGER HEARTBREAK

Hodgson - hopes Fulham can stay up.

Roy Hodgson admits Fulham's heroic late push for survival will only make it harder to accept relegation.

Little over a month ago Fulham's seven-year stay in the Premier League looked to be over as Sunderland left Craven Cottage with a precious 3-1 triumph.

But a run of three wins in four matches - including an epic comeback against Manchester City - has left them on the cusp of survival.

Victory over FA Cup finalists Portsmouth on Sunday will complete one of the Premier League's most memorable escape acts and earn Hodgson hero status at Craven Cottage.

But while the 60-year-old is thrilled Fulham are masters of their own destiny, he admits their recent surge out of the bottom three will only intensify the agony should they be relegated.

"We were in a dire situation at one point - we looked dead and buried. But it's nice to have a chance to still be fighting in the final game," said Hodgson.

"It would be heartbreaking to be relegated either way but maybe it will be more dramatic heartbreak as we have now come so close.

"All of us here have wanted to keep Fulham in the Premier League. It's been our dream.

"It looked for quite a long time that it would be something we'd have to forego, instead coming to terms with the reality of the Championship.

"All of a sudden we've had a reprieve and if we win our last game we won't go down. We'll be devastated if we lose it from here."

Two of four clubs could be relegated on what promises to be a nail-biting final day at both ends of the Premier League table.

Fulham are all but guaranteed safety should they prevail against Pompey, yet a draw and even defeat could keep them up if the results of Birmingham and Reading go their way.

Counting in the Royals' favour is they face whipping boys Derby and John Madejski insists all the pressure is on the Cottagers, even if they sit one place higher on goal difference.

But a canny Hodgson refuses to engage in any mind games with the Reading chairman.

"John Madejski may have said we have to beat Portsmouth but like Reading we can only do our best as well," he said.

"His words are twisting and turning the situation and I can understand how every club is anxious to do that.

"But the only thing any of the teams involved can do is go out, do their best and hope the football gods smile upon them.

"There will be some interesting situations during the game - controversial refereeing decisions, missed chances, mistakes, balls hitting crossbars. This is the nature of our business.

"We are under the same pressure as the other teams - we all want to stay up - so I will shy away from accepting we are anyway under more pressure."

Hodgson's approach to a difficult period has drawn universal approval, from the passing game he has used to dig Fulham out of trouble to the measured and intelligent responses he offers the media.

But the former Inter Milan coach believes renewed self-belief is as responsible for the recent flurry of points as the hours spent toiling under his supervision at the training ground.

"I'd like to think this run is reward for the hard work the players have been building up to," he said.

"But you cannot underestimate the effect wins have on people as well.

"For a long period of time I've been working here with players who haven't experienced those wins.

"Obviously they were affected mentally and psychologically by the fact they were working all week and doing their best, yet losing at the weekend.

"Now we are working and winning and while it won't be easy, this team is good enough to beat Portsmouth."