Just a week after Jimmy Bullard's £5million transfer to Hull, Leon Andreasen has been allowed to join German Bundesliga club Hannover for personal reasons.

It leaves Fulham's squad short in midfield, prompting Hodgson to approach Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp to see if he had any players available for loan.

The enquiry met with little success but Hodgson hopes to have secured Barnes, 20, on loan before the transfer window closes on Monday.

"We're talking to Giles Barnes about a loan move," said Hodgson.

"Leon Andreasen wants to go back to the Bundesliga for family reasons and we've had a good offer from Hannover.

"Letting him go is the right thing to do but it leaves a gap in the squad."

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Barnes' season has been heavily disrupted by injury but Hodgson believes the Derby youngster, who has scored 10 league goals for the Rams since 2005, is ready for the top flight.

However, the Fulham manager admits the move would not be without its risks.

"Barnes is a very talented young player who can play just behind the striker," he said.

"He's the type of player we don't have in our squad and he's highly motivated after missing a lot of time through injury.

"He made a brilliant start to his footballing career and is anxious to show what he can do in the Premier League.

"It's a gamble on our part, although I believe it's a gamble worth taking.

"The talks are serious. The player would like to come but I can't confirm anything."

Hodgson denied reports he made a specific request to take Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone on loan, instead approaching Redknapp on a more general brief.

"I spoke to Harry because we are concerned that with Jimmy and now Leon gone we have vacancies in midfield," he said.

"I asked him if he had any midfielders available but he said no, there are none for loans or probably to sell either.

"I didn't ask about buying because the type of players we want would command a fee that we wouldn't want to pay at this moment in time.

"I asked if anyone was available and the answer was no, but I didn't mention Huddlestone's name in particular."

Andreasen's departure has left Fulham with just three recognised central midfielders - Danny Murphy, Dickson Etuhu and Andranik Teymourian.

Hodgson now faces a race against time to plug the gaps before the transfer window shuts and the former Inter Milan boss admits he did not want to sell Andreasen.

"I was reluctant to let Leon go but it was the right thing to do, although I'm now a little worried about the holes it leaves in our squad," he said.

Fulham host Portsmouth tomorrow, seeking to halt a run of two straight defeats, both on the road.

Hodgson's side are a far more formidable outfit at Craven Cottage, however, and Pompey boss Tony Adams will find himself under further scrutiny should Fulham prevail.

"There's always one or two managers under pressure," said Hodgson. "You just have to come to terms with it.

"We who are working on my side of things, we sympathise with each other but we can't help much. That's what you'd expect among professionals.

"Tony has the potential to make it. As a player he showed all the qualities needed to become a manager.

"He did his apprenticeship at Wycombe and as assistant to Harry, so I have no desire to doubt him."