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Neil Lennon hopes the return of Zach Clough can give his side the impetus to break their three-month wait for a league win against Fulham tomorrow.
Not since the young forward netted the winner against Wolves in mid-September have the Whites registered a Championship victory.
Indeed, in 15 matches since that 2-1 Macron triumph, the team has picked up just seven points from 45 available.
But the latest of those points came on Clough's return from a dislocated shoulder picked up in the next game after the Wolves win against Sheffield Wednesday.
And Lennon says it was evident his appearance back in the fold from the start at The Valley gave everyone a lift.
“It was a risk to throw Zach back in there and there may have been a bit of tiredness towards the end as he hasn’t played much football recently," Lennon told the club.
"That said, you could see his presence gave everyone a lift.
"He’s been a huge miss for us and to have him back in the team was a huge bonus because he makes us better.
"He’s a brilliant player and he will be frustrated the amount of time he has missed.
"He gives us that bit of pace and creativity and hopefully goals."
Lennon is likely to use Clough again against the Cottagers, though he is wary of asking too much, too soon of the 20-year-old who signed a new improved deal during his injury lay-off.
The manager said: "We have to be careful with him because when you come in the adrenalin gets going and there could be a dip afterwards.
"We will keep an eye on him and see how he reacts because we want him fit and fresh for this weekend."
After seeing his side come from two goals down to earn a point in the capital, Lennon is understandably upbeat about tomorrow's clash, particularly after seeing other players thrive of Clough's return.
He has challenged his squad to use Tuesday's display as a catalyst to kick on but he knows actions speak louder than words when you are rock-bottom and six points from safety in the Championship.
He added: "There were a few smiles in the dressing room afterwards for the first time in a while.
"It’s only one performance, though, and we need 20 from here on in.
"We need to start winning games and we know we can at home.
"If they play as well as they did on Tuesday, then we have a great chance of turning things around."
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Not since the young forward netted the winner against Wolves in mid-September have the Whites registered a Championship victory.
Indeed, in 15 matches since that 2-1 Macron triumph, the team has picked up just seven points from 45 available.
But the latest of those points came on Clough's return from a dislocated shoulder picked up in the next game after the Wolves win against Sheffield Wednesday.
And Lennon says it was evident his appearance back in the fold from the start at The Valley gave everyone a lift.
“It was a risk to throw Zach back in there and there may have been a bit of tiredness towards the end as he hasn’t played much football recently," Lennon told the club.
"That said, you could see his presence gave everyone a lift.
"He’s been a huge miss for us and to have him back in the team was a huge bonus because he makes us better.
"He’s a brilliant player and he will be frustrated the amount of time he has missed.
"He gives us that bit of pace and creativity and hopefully goals."
Lennon is likely to use Clough again against the Cottagers, though he is wary of asking too much, too soon of the 20-year-old who signed a new improved deal during his injury lay-off.
The manager said: "We have to be careful with him because when you come in the adrenalin gets going and there could be a dip afterwards.
"We will keep an eye on him and see how he reacts because we want him fit and fresh for this weekend."
After seeing his side come from two goals down to earn a point in the capital, Lennon is understandably upbeat about tomorrow's clash, particularly after seeing other players thrive of Clough's return.
He has challenged his squad to use Tuesday's display as a catalyst to kick on but he knows actions speak louder than words when you are rock-bottom and six points from safety in the Championship.
He added: "There were a few smiles in the dressing room afterwards for the first time in a while.
"It’s only one performance, though, and we need 20 from here on in.
"We need to start winning games and we know we can at home.
"If they play as well as they did on Tuesday, then we have a great chance of turning things around."
Source
