"Mark will be going into the last year of his contract and that is nothing which either he or we want so I'm hoping that will be quickly resolved," said Hodgson.

"It's all very well talking about possible reinforcements and strengtehning of your team but this group of players here this year have done a great job for us and it's important for me that we keep that group together."

Norwegian defender Brede Hangeland has had an excellent season for the Cottagers and had been linked with Arsenal, but Hodgson is confident of keeping the player in west London.

"Brede's contract has still got two years to go so there's not panic when it comes to that," he said.

"He has been offered a new deal at the club which I hope he will be happy with and accept."

One player Hodgson will not keep is on-loan Giles Barnes, who will return to Derby and faces surgery on his Achilles tendon.

"Unfortunately he's been injured and we've not had the chance to assess him the way we would have liked during his time here," Hodgson admitted.

"We're not prepared to pay the amount of money we'd be required to at the end of his loan period to secure his services."

The Fulham boss also confirmed that 34-year-old French international Olivier Dacourt, who arrived from Inter Milan in February, is leaving Craven Cottage.

"Olivier came here making it perfectly clear he would be here until the end of the season and I think he's contemplating retirement now.

"I would hope that's not the case, I think he's got a lot more to offer and would be a prize asset for many clubs but it wouldn't be here in England because of his family situation.

"Discussions with his family and where the family are going to live will have a major bearing on where he plays or whether he will continue to play," said Hodgson.