The 29-year-old, whose 19 goals this season have propelled him into contention for England's World Cup squad, needed a pain-killing injection into his troublesome Achilles to start last night's clash with Hamburg at Craven Cottage.

Manager Roy Hodgson admitted that was something of a gamble, but one worth taking - and indeed it almost paid a swift dividend when the striker went close during the opening minutes.

Zamora was eventually withdrawn just after the start of the second half, and admits he is now unlikely to face his old club West Ham at Upton Park on Sunday as Fulham look to get their main man fully fit for a return to Hamburg's HSV-Arena on May 12.

"I am desperate to be out there for the final, so the next couple of weeks will be really important for me," Zamora said.

"Maybe it was a bit of a gamble for me to face Hamburg, but I really wanted to play and would have done anything to do so.

"It was not the best performance by myself, and I am pleased to have been able to play some part."

Zamora revealed: "I can't see me making West Ham, but we will see.

"I just want to make sure I am fit for the final.

"It is the tendon in my Achilles which I have got a bit of trouble with, so it will just be a case of looking after it."

The Cottagers European adventure started way back in July last year with a third-qualifying round tie against FK Vetra of Lithuania, and has since carried them through the group stages against Roma to superb performances which knocked out favourites Shakhtar Donetsk and then Italian giants Juventus.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson claims Hodgson is a certainty to be named Manager of the Year following Fulham's "miraculous" march to the final.

Zamora paid tribute to Hodgson, who has transformed the club since he arrived in late December 2007 save them from relegation.

"The manager is brilliant," Zamora declared.

"He always looks so calm, but his mind is working all the time.

"We are well-drilled in training and you can see that in our performances during the games.

"The character has been there all through the competition - we did it against Juventus, which all shows the spirit and desire we have in the squad.

"There is no point in playing all of these games if you are not going to give it your all."