Tom Cairney
FUL
Center Midfielder
Creative Playmaker
Jan 20, 1991 (35)
Left
6'1"
185 lb
Makes bench Saturday
Cairney (knee) is on the bench for Saturday's match against Hull City.
Analysis: Cairney returns to the squad after a minor surgical procedure on his left knee in early August delayed his start to the season. The midfielder had resumed team training before the Ipswich Town match but needed additional time to rebuild his fitness. He could now make his first competitive appearance of the campaign as a substitute. After recording two goals across 24 Premier League appearances last season, he provides experienced depth in Fulham's midfield rotation.
Could return against Hull City
Cairney (knee) could return to action for Saturday's Premier League clash against Hull City after coach Alvaro Arbeloa indicated that the rest of Fulham's squad is available, according to Jack Kelly of Fulhamish. "Everyone else is available."
Analysis: Cairney appears to be nearing his first competitive appearance of the season after undergoing a minor surgical procedure on his left knee in early August. The veteran midfielder has already resumed team training but was left out of the squad for last Saturday's matchup against Ipswich Town as he continued rebuilding his fitness. Manager Arbeloa's latest comments suggest Cairney could finally be available for selection against Hull City, although his lack of match fitness could limit his involvement. The midfielder recorded two goals across 24 Premier League appearances last season and is expected to provide additional depth in Fulham's midfield rotation once fully reintegrated.
Not an option Saturday
Cairney (knee) is not in the squad for Saturday's match against Ipswich Town.
Analysis: Cairney is not ready to return to competitive action following a minor surgical procedure on his left knee in early August. The midfielder has resumed team training but needs more time to regain fitness, as coach Alvaro Arbeloa had suggested ahead of Saturday's matchup. He remains without an appearance this season and should provide midfield depth once available after recording two goals across 24 Premier League appearances last campaign.
Unlikely to return against Ipswich
Cairney (knee) is nearing a return to action, but Saturday's Premier League clash against Ipswich Town appears to come too soon, according to coach Alvaro Arbeloa, per Jack Kelly of the Fulhamish Podcast. "We are so happy to have Tom back, but maybe a little too soon for him."
Analysis: Cairney has yet to make an appearance this season after undergoing a minor surgical procedure on his left knee in early August, though his recent return to team training suggests he is approaching full fitness. Manager Arbeloa's latest comments indicate the veteran midfielder is making encouraging progress but may need additional time before being cleared for competitive action. Cairney made 24 Premier League appearances last season, including six starts and two goals, and should provide valuable midfield depth once available, even if he is unlikely to secure a regular starting role.
Spotted in training Tuesday
Cairney (knee) was spotted in training Tuesday.
Analysis: Cairney has yet to play this season after undergoing a minor surgical procedure on his left knee in early August. The veteran midfielder isn't expected to start regularly when fit, but he should add much-needed depth to central midfield. Cairney played in 24 games in the 2025/26 Premier League campaign, but he started just six, and scored twice.
Remains sidelined
Cairney is out for Monday's SW6 derby against Chelsea, according to coach Alvaro Arbeloa. "We are in a very good moment. It's just Tom who is injured, the rest of the players are available and they are working so hard. I can feel the commitment of the players, it's been so great, so now we are confident."
Analysis: Cairney underwent a minor surgical procedure on his left knee earlier this month and began a rehabilitation program with the club's medical staff, with his return to training expected to fall around the September international break, meaning his continued absence here comes as no surprise.
Undergoes minor knee surgery
Cairney underwent a minor surgical procedure on his left knee, the club announced.
Analysis: Cairney will now begin a rehabilitation program with the club's medical and performance staff, with a return to training expected after the September international break. As a result, he is set to miss the start of Fulham's 2026/27 campaign before returning to compete for a depth role in midfield once fully fit. He is expected to continue his recovery over the coming weeks.
Finds net off bench
Cairney scored one goal to go with three shots (one on goal) and two chances created in Sunday's 2-0 victory against Newcastle United.
Analysis: Cairney came off the bench in the second half to replace Kevin and immediately made his presence felt at Craven Cottage, first driving a low effort narrowly wide of the right post before being invited to shoot from distance again moments later, this time curling a stunning strike into the top-left corner past Nick Pope in the 80th minute for his second league goal of the season, while also adding two key passes and two interceptions. Cairney ends the 2025-26 season with two goals and 11 key passes across 24 Premier League appearances, consistently providing leadership and creative composure from midfield in what has been a strong collective campaign for Fulham despite operating mainly in a substitute role this season.
Fit for bench
Cairney (calf) is on the bench for Sunday's match against Sunderland.
Analysis: Cairney was back in training this week, and that has led to his return, with the midfielder an option from the bench as usual. With only three starts in 16 appearances this season, the midfielder will likely continue as a rotational option.
Back in training
Cairney (calf) is back in training this week and is questionable for Sunday's match against Sunderland, according to manager Marco Silva. "Sasa and Tom are back training. For one of them, it will be too soon."
Analysis: Cairney is back in training this week after three games out with an injury, the closest to a return he has been yet. However, he will be questionable for the outing, still likely needing to pass some testing to play. Even if he is an option, a bench spot is all that should be waiting for him, starting in three of his 16 appearances this campaign.
Out another match
Cairney (calf) is out for Wednesday's match against Manchester City, according to Jack Kelly of Fullhamish. "Too soon for Tom. Nothing serious, but we have to be careful. A knock to the calf. After the first exam, we decided not to risk it. Everyone else is available."
Analysis: Cairney is not going to be an option and will remain out another game, as the midfielder is still dealing with his calf injury. He will miss a second straight game with the injury, but it is still deemed to be only a minor injury. The hope will be that he can then make the call to face Stoke City on Saturday in Cup play, although he is more of a bench option when fit.
Suffers calf discomfort
Cairney suffered calf discomfort in the final training session on Friday and is ruled out for Saturday's clash against Everton, coach Marco Silva said to the media.
Analysis: Cairney has been ruled out for Saturday's clash against the Toffees after picking up calf discomfort in Friday's training session. The midfielder will aim to get back to full fitness ahead of next week's meeting with Manchester City on Wednesday, but his absence doesn't shake up the starting squad since he has largely filled a bench role for the Cottagers this season.
Signs new contract
Cairney has signed a new contract with Fulham until the end of the 2026/27 season, the club announced Friday.
Analysis: Cairney has extended his current tenure at Fulham for a further year, meaning he'll complete 12 years at Craven Cottage if he stays with the club until the end of the 2026/27 campaign. Despite being the club captain, Cairney doesn't have a big role in midfield. He's started in just three of his 14 EPL appearances in 2025/26, tallying one goal, four chances created, four clearances, three tackles and two interceptions while adding 344 passes.
Scores equalizer as sub
Cairney scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and one corner in Thursday's 1-1 draw versus Crystal Palace. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 81st minute.
Analysis: Cairney started on the bench for an 11th straight match but came on in the 68th minute and scored the equalizer against Crystal Palace on Thursday, netting his first goal of the season with a long-range effort following a well-weighted pass from Sasa Lukic. The veteran has made just one start this season and continues to operate primarily in a bench and mentoring role, making goal contributions relatively rare.
Available vs. Newcastle
Cairney (back) will be available against Newcastle United on Saturday, manager Marco Silva told media during Thursday's pre-match press conference. "[Tom] Cairney, nothing special [with the injury] as we expected, is going to be in contention," Silva said.
Analysis: Cairney was forced off in the 64th minute of Saturday's 1-0 loss against Arsenal due to a back issue, but the injury wasn't serious, and the midfielder should be an option in midfield once again. With Sasa Lukic back and Sander Berge a staple in midfield for the Cottagers, though, Cairney is expected to be an option off the bench for Silva.
Deals with minor back issue
Cairney was forced off in the 64th minute of Saturday's 1-0 loss against Arsenal due to a back issue, coach Marco Silva confirmed in a press conference, according to Four Four Two. "Tom was something in his back. He felt it when he jumped for one ball. Doesn't look so serious. That's a different one; it was a knock there. He was not feeling good. I fear that next week he's going to be another absence for us."
Analysis: Cairney was in the starting squad for the first time this season with the Cottagers but had to leave the pitch around the one-hour mark due to a back issue suffered after a knock. The midfielder will be assessed in the coming days to determine the extent of the problem, which appears to be minor but could make him miss Saturday's clash against the Magpies. That said, his potential absence would not impact the starting XI much since he has mainly been a bench option this campaign.
Select Player
Search and select a player to compare