Fulham midfielder Steve Sidwell has urged the club to successfully conclude contract negotiations with Brede Hangeland.

Norwegian defender Hangeland's current deal is due to expire in the summer and as a result he will be free to discuss terms with other clubs in January.

However, Sidwell is hoping that the Whites do not allow the situation to reach that point.

"You want to keep all of your best players to progress in the Premier League," Sidwell told the London Evening Standard. "Brede is a natural-born leader and, if you look at his performances week in, week out, he very rarely has a bad game for us.

"His partnership with Aaron Hughes has been instrumental to the club's success throughout the past few years. We want to keep him here."

Hangeland has previously been linked with Manchester United.