Allardyce is scheduled for an operation on a coronary artery and missed the 2-0 Barclays Premier League win over Bolton Wanderers on Sunday, with his team also looking in the mood for victory against Hodgson's men.

Erik Nevland opened the scoring two minutes from half-time with the first Fulham shot of the match, with Blackburn keeping the hosts at bay until that point.

Hodgson said: "His team didn't do my blood pressure any favours. I wish him well and he must be proud how is team is playing.

"Apparently red wine is good for the heart and I look forward to having a glass with him up at Blackburn later in the season."

Clint Dempsey struck twice in the second half to wrap up the points and send Fulham into the top half of the table.

"The first 40 minutes was not the sort of game you like to watch because the ball was all up in the air," Hodgson added.

"We hoped to get the ball down but credit to Blackburn because they kept us pinned down and stopped us doing what we wanted to do.

"Fortunately, we had the fight and character to stay in the game and then we had one moment in the first half where we scored a good goal."