Hodgson, Hangeland to sign new deals

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has hinted that he and central defender Brede Hangeland will sign new deals with the club in the coming days.

Speaking after a 3-0 win over Blackburn Rovers propelled Fulham into the Premier League top half, Hodgson said he had verbally agreed terms on an extended contract.

The 62-year-old's current deal expires next summer, but he is understood to be close to agreeing a two-year extension on improved terms.

Norway captain Hangeland is likewise said to be close to agreeing a new deal to ward off interest from other clubs in the January transfer window.

"It wasn't a difficult discussion," Hodgson said of contract talks with Fulham owner Mohamed al-Fayed.

"We are basically in agreement and I've got to say it was very easy to come to that agreement," he told the Evening Standard.

"It seems that everyone is keen for me to stay and I've always made it perfectly clear that I'm happy to stay. I've never made any secret of the fact that I'm happy at Fulham and I'm enjoying the job here.

"It is just a matter now of putting the contract discussions that we have already had onto paper."

Hogdson has been an unqualified success at Craven Cottage since saving the west London club from relegation in 2008.

The following season he guided the club to their highest-ever Premier League finish - seventh - and qualified for the inaugural Uefa Europa League.

Hodgson, who previously coached Inter Milan and the Sweden and Finland national teams, is the leading contender to coach the British football team at the 2012 Olympics.