Saha backs Tigana's bid for a striker

Fulham's Louis Saha believes that he will benefit if manager Jean Tigana succeeds in buying another striker.

The 23-year-old has been disappointed with his form this season but was pleased to learn the club was trying to buy Valencia's John Carew two weeks ago.

That £7.5 million deal did not go through because of problems with the Norwegian's medical but Tigana has made it clear he still wants another striker as well as Saha, Barry Hayles and Steve Marlet.

But Saha, who scored his sixth goal this term and Fulham's equaliser in their 2-1 win against Middlesbrough on Saturday, is looking forward to the increased competition for places.

He said: "The people the manager has been linked with are not the same type of player as me. He seems to want a big guy with different skills and that could be good for me and my game.

"I have found it difficult this season-and that has been very hard for my confidence."

Saha started as a substitute on Saturday and played in midfield when he came on in the first-half because of an injury to Sylvain Legwinski.

But he may soon get more chances to start alongside Marlet, who scored Fulham's winner against Middlesbrough after Colin Cooper had given them the lead, because of Hayles' disciplinary problems. The former Bristol Rovers striker is facing two Football Association misconduct charges for violent behaviour.