Fulham: Can they attract 38,000 fans? (JamieMcDonald/Allsport)

The six league matches at the Cottagers' temporary home, Loftus Road, have attracted an average of just 16,389 fans, compared to 19,545 at Craven Cottage last season.

Fulham chairman Mohamed Al Fayed is fighting a legal battle with residents over planning permission for a 28,000 all-seater ground on the site of the club's traditional home.

But the courtroom fight is dragging on so he is now assessing other locations in west London for a new super-stadium - and the consultants have drawn up a recruitment plan to add 22,000 to the Cottagers' average gate.

The club have had two attempts to build on a 10-acre site in Wood Lane, Shepherd's Bush, rejected - and insist they are not considering sites in Osterley, west London, and at the Linford Christie Stadium near Wormwood Scrubs prison.

Fulham chief executive Bruce Langham said: `We hired some very expensive consultants to help us and we're pleased with the outcome.

`We're confident as we have a robust business plan over the next two or three years to get our crowd up to around 85 percent of 38,000, plus a fairly consistent away support for the rest of the figure.

`There are three strands of our business plan. We want to get fans who aren't coming now, fans who've supported us but never come and new fans.'

Langham revealed the scenario at Southampton - Jean Tigana's opponents on the south coast on Sunday - has bolstered confidence in their own plans.

The Saints' 32,551-capacity St Mary's Stadium averaged attendances of 30,633 last term - doubling the 15,115 figure from The Dell the previous season.

Langham said: `Our plan is based on precedent, not field of dreams. Look at St Mary's Stadium, for example.

`If you build a stadium and give people a Premiership experience - which with respect to QPR, you don't get at Loftus Road - people buy that experience.'

Langham also revealed his frustration at the fans' stay-away protest for the UEFA Cup clash with Hajduk Split, to highlight their fears the club are using the legal battle with residents as an smokescreen to leave Craven Cottage.

`That was the first time Fulham had ever played in a serious European competition - and only 9,000 turned up,' he said. `I was disappointed by that.

`People have to make up their minds whether they support Fulham or Craven Cottage.

`I've been a supporter of the team for 40 years. We've been playing at the same ground for 100-odd years, but frankly, I support the team, not the ground.

`I'll go and see the team, wherever they play. I hope that's what Fulham fans will do as well.'

The embarrassment of a half-full Loftus Road against Split has prompted Fulham to slash prices for the November 14 second round, second leg clash with Dinamo Zagreb at home.

`Being in Europe is important,' added Langham