Mark Hughes’ first battle as the new Fulham boss is to either persuade Australian keeper Mark Schwarzer to stay or get busy signing a replacement.

With Arsenal pressing for Schwarzer’s signature bookmaker Paddy Power quotes the arrival of current West Ham United goalkeeper Rob Green as the 9/4 betting favourite as the first player to be signed by Hughes.

Roberto Coladangelo spokesman for Paddy Power said: “Mark is going to be a busy man in the next couple of weeks as the new season looms large on the horizon. If Schwarzer goes he will have to concentrate on replacing him but out of goal Mohamed Al Fayed has reportedly given him a reasonable budget to add to the squad that has had two of their best seasons in history.”

The new Cottagers’ boss may then turn to his old squad at Manchester City to bolster the Fulham team and potentially swoop for; Craig Bellamy 3/1, Stephen Ireland 5/1 and Roque Santa Cruz 6/1 to join him in West London.

Latest Betting Odds – First Fulham FC Signing

9/4 Green, 3/1 Bellamy, 5/1 Ireland, 6/1 Santa Cruz, 6/1 Keane, 15/2 Young, 12/1 Scharner, 12/1 Utaka. Continue..