The Cottagers beat Arsenal 1-0 at the weekend and Bullard credited it to the character shown by Roy Hodgson's team, likening it to the type of performance the players gave last season as they successfully avoided relegation from the Premier League.

Bullard said: "We showed the spirit we had here at the end of last season.

"You can't achieve what we did without spirit and desire and beating a top team is bound to give you confidence."

Bullard told the club website: "The manager's signed some cracking players and kept some of the ones from last year, so we look good.

"We've got Andy Johnson to come in as well up top which is going to be an additional threat, so we're looking like a good squad."

Hodgson is thought to be ready to field a strong side with Fulham's next fixture against Bolton nearly three weeks away because next scheduled opponents Manchester United face Zenit St Petersburg for the European Super Cup in Monaco.

Hodgson could finally give Johnson, his £10.5million signing from Everton, a debut although he has insisted the striker will not be risked until he has recovered from a thigh injury.

Austrian defender Fredrik Stoor could also get a first run-out with Paul Konchesky still an injury doubt after missing the Arsenal game.

And Hodgson has to decide which of his three other goalkeepers - if any - stands in for Mark Schwarzer.

Swiss veteran Pascal Zuberbuhler and former Darlington youngster David Stockdale have each taken turns on the substitutes' bench in the opening two Premier League games and Hodgson is likely to want a look at them in competitive action.

Finland's Antti Niemi, however, is still out following more wrist surgery, along with striker Diomansy Kamara (knee).

Meanwhile Dutch forward Danny Hoesen, 17, has told Fortuna Sittard's website he has left the club to join Fulham's youth set-up, making him Hodgson's 12th signing this summer - although the London club have yet to confirm it.