Silva on avoiding 'mental fatigue', Wirtz goal and 'special' derby

Silva confirmed there were no new injury concerns for Wednesday's game, with Kenny Tete, Rodrigo Muniz and Josh King out. However, Ryan Sessegnon is in "contention" for a return to action.

He feels it is "very difficult" managing the workload of the players currently, but does not believe "mental fatigue" will happen with the results they have had and the "special game" coming up against Chelsea.

The Fulham boss confirmed that the club have contacted PGMOL about Florian Wirtz's goal for Liverpool in their draw on Sunday, in which the midfielder looked to be offside but VAR awarded the goal. They have not yet heard back and Silva said: "I cannot believe that goal was not disallowed."

He added: "People talk about five centimetres [technology allowance] but for me that is much more than five centimetres. It's important for football people to understand. Look back four weeks, Crystal Palace at home, Emile Smith Rowe's goal disallowed but less than five centimetres that time, probably half of a nail [of Samuel Chukuweze]. Who was talking about five centimetres then? What happened this game? I still don't understand."

On if the technology is improving decision-making: "I'm a big believer at the end of the season everything should be balanced. It is part of the game, good and bad decisions, for me, players, officials. The reality is we have been very unlucky in things that are not grey but black and white."

Silva said they "don't use the mistakes as motivation", but "have our own motivations to play good football, play the derby like it should be played, respect Chelsea, respect our fans and make them proud".

Silva said there were no updates on Harry Wilson's contract and the situation for Adama Traore was "still the same", with no new offers for the forward.

He also said he does not "have any comments at all" on the managerial situation at Manchester United that he has been linked with.