Fulham have given Derek Boateng permission to speak to Watford ahead of a potential loan deal until the end of the season.

The midfielder has made just four starts since his summer switch from Dnipro, and featured once since Rene Meulensteen took charge last month - in last weekend's FA Cup draw with Norwich.

Boateng wants to quit Craven Cottage to get regular first-team football in order to cement a place in Ghana's squad for this summer's World Cup in Brazil.

And boss Meulensteen has sanctioned a deal for the African to join the Championship club for the rest of the campaign.

He said: "Derek has a chance to go to the World Cup, so we've allowed him to speak to Watford."