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Litmanen was a free agent after leaving Swedish side Malmv FF and undergoing an ankle operation.

The 36-year-old has now fully recovered and Hodgson is confident the former Liverpool and Ajax star will benefit Fulham's fight for survival.

Hodgson said: 'Jari finished his contract last year and had operations on his ankle and his Achilles tendon and is probably the fittest he has been for years.

'I said to him that before you sign a long contract elsewhere, wouldn't you like to come and play for us until the end of the season. Luckily for me he said 'yes'. It is a bonus to have a player like him.

'Although he has not played much football lately, you never forget how to play football, and when you are as physically fit as he is going to be, what's to say he won't come in here and do a great job for us.'

United are five points behind main rivals Chelsea after claiming just two points from their opening three games.
"We have given ourselves an uphill fight, there is no doubt about that," said Ferguson after Sunday's 1-0 defeat.
"We have to get a win under our belts. We have Tottenham on Sunday. That has become a very important game for us."
United have made their worst start since 1992, when they drew one and lost two of their first three games, although they did bounce back that season to claim the Premier League title.
United's main problem appears to be up front where the absence through injury of Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been keenly felt. Despite dominating possession in each of their three matches, United have scored just one goal from their opening three games to date.
"We had enough chances and played fantastic football at times," Ferguson added of Sunday's defeat.
"We were just wasteful, we had so many opportunities to win it ourselves.
"I can't fault the performance - we completely dominated. But we should have sewn the game up.
"Of course you miss strikers but the number of chances we had and the amount of possession we should have won the game.
"At this moment in time we have to rely on our experience and make sure we do not get carried away with a knee-jerk reaction," he added.

World's No. 1 soccer star to make Galaxy debut in summer 2007

LOS ANGELES - World-renowned soccer player David Beckham will become a member of the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer (MLS) during the 2007 MLS season, it was announced by AEG. The 31-year-old midfielder will join the Galaxy after his contract with Real Madrid expires on June 30.

The most recognizable athlete in the world, Beckham has agreed to a five-year deal to play for the Galaxy, whose season opens April 8 in Houston. The deal to bring Beckham to America is thought to be the biggest in sporting history, with industry experts estimating the worth to the player in excess of $250 million.

Beckham is celebrated around the world for his match winning skills as a player in addition to his overall contributions to clubs Real Madrid, Manchester United and England.

"This week, Real Madrid asked me to make a decision regarding my future and the offer to extend my contract by a further two seasons," said David Beckham. After discussing several options with my family and advisers to either stay here at Madrid or join other major British and European clubs, I have decided to join the Los Angeles Galaxy and play in the MLS from August this year.

I am proud to have played for two of the biggest clubs in football and I look forward to the new challenge of growing the world's most popular game in a country that is as passionate about its sport as my own.

For the rest of this season I will continue to give 100% to my coach, team mates and fans as I believe Fabio Capello will bring this club and its supporters the success they truly deserve."

Having been Captain of the English soccer team and the driving force behind two of the world's best and most popular soccer clubs, Manchester United and Real Madrid, Beckham's latest chapter of his superstar career will see him joining one of MLS's most successful franchises.

"David Beckham will have a greater impact on soccer in America than any athlete has ever had on a sport globally," said Timothy J. Leiweke, president & CEO, AEG. "We are acquiring an individual that will not only be the best ambassador and the best role model for athletes and fans of soccer but the best example of what any athlete can and should be. David is truly the only individual that can build the 'bridge' between soccer in America and the rest of the world," added Leiweke.

"In addition to David's tremendous desire to further elevate the sport of soccer in the United States and worldwide, we would also not be here today without the unbelievable cooperation of the members of his management team beginning with Simon Fuller," Leiweke continued. "We owe you all a debt of gratitude and appreciation and give you our commitment that we will support you as you support us every step of the way."

"This historic partnership with 19 Entertainment and CAA Sports will also create tremendous and exciting new opportunities for us to collectively develop additional worldwide initiatives," Leiweke continued. "The synergies created with 19 Entertainment, the worldwide leaders in branding and imaging along with CAA Sports, the premier sports representation agency will result in numerous new and profitable ventures."

With this historic signing, Beckham becomes the first MLS player acquired via the League's new Designated Player Rule which allows the signing of players whose salary falls outside the team salary budget. Although financial details of Beckham's contract will not be revealed, his earnings are likely to run into hundreds of millions of dollars over the five year period when all incomes are collated.

"David Beckham is a global sports icon who will transcend the sport of soccer in America," said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. "His decision to continue his storied career in Major League Soccer is testament to the fact that America is rapidly becoming a true 'Soccer Nation' with Major League Soccer at the core. In the last few years, MLS has added three new teams, six new owners, four new soccer specific stadiums and signed four long term television agreements. The addition of David Beckham represents another significant step forward for the MLS and the sport."

"As importantly, David's enormous success as a player and team leader will serve as an inspiration to millions of soccer players and fans in this country and his global popularity will help take MLS and the sport of soccer in this country to an unprecedented level of excitement and popularity here and abroad."

The unprecedented agreement was negotiated by representatives of Beckham's international personal management agency 19 Entertainment and CAA Sports.

"David Beckham is an extraordinary sporting icon," said 19 Entertainment's Simon Fuller. "His achievements to date as a player would satisfy even the most ambitious athlete. However, David's decision to move to the Los Angeles Galaxy and play in the MLS is the beginning of probably his greatest and most important adventure of all."

Fuller continued, "David's passion for soccer means that there could be no greater ambassador for the world's most popular sport and this will undoubtedly help its continued growth in the world's biggest sporting nation. I am proud to have played a part in this unprecedented and highly innovative deal which takes David to the United States. With our friends and partners at AEG, I look forward to an exciting and memorable five years ahead."

Beckham's move to play in North America is expected to introduce millions of new fans to the game. His appeal in Europe ranges from die-hard club fans who respect his work ethic and his ability to win a game single-handedly, to casual and new fans of the sport who are drawn to him by his refusal to conform to the stereotypical expectations of what a soccer player should be.

Respected UK sports magazine, Four Four Two (February 2007), describes Beckham as "blessed with a special talent, a right foot that could open Fort Knox, and more importantly than anything else, a phenomenal work ethic...when he broke a bone in his foot prior to the World Cup, England ground to a halt. Tabloids beseeched their tens of millions of readers to kiss pictures of the troubled toe and pray for its swift healing."

Beckham has won six Premiership medals, two FA Cups, one Champions League and the Intercontinental Cup (now known as FIFA Club World Championship), the most important club prize in the world soccer calendar. Additionally, he has been made an Officer of the British Empire by the Queen, voted the BBC's "Sports Personality of the Year," and has played for England more than 90 times.

Ronaldo, 30, is the second big name to be told he is surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu after David Beckham agreed to move to LA Galaxy in August.

"The situation is different to that of Beckham as Ronaldo still has another year on his contract after this one," said club president Ramon Calderon.

"But he is going to be inactive because the coach has made it clear he doesn't count on him."

Ronaldo has started only three league matches under Italian coach Fabio Capello, who has been focusing on bringing in new blood since taking over in the summer.

The three-time World Player of the Year, who has scored only one goal this season, missed Sunday's 1-0 victory over Real Zaragoza with a leg injury.

Following the win, Capello celebrated by making an obscene gesture towards a small section of the crowd that had been calling for his head - although he did later make an apology.

"I want to apologise to everyone but this has been going on since the first day I arrived. here. There are two people behind the dug-out who are continually offensive," he said.

"The gesture was towards those two but, as the coach of Real Madrid, I should apologise," said Capello, outraged that his abusers this time had a sign that said 'Ronaldo stay, Capello get lost'.

But it is the Brazilian who is heading for the exit and Ronaldo could follow Beckham to Major League Soccer following speculation over a move to New York Red Bulls.

The former Cruzeiro, PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona and Inter Milan forward has also been linked with a return to Italy with Juventus and a move to Al Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.

Al Ittihad president Mansour Al Balwi said on Friday: "There is definite interest. We have not negotiated with him but very soon we will start the process of getting in contact with him."

Calderon added: "We have to find an exit that's good for him.

"I know sporting director Predrag Mijatovic has had conversations with some clubs and that the player also has offers but we'll have to wait and see whether it will be now or in June.

"It would surely be better for the club and him if he went if there are offers. If not, he will stay with us."

The UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying encounter between Finland and Armenia on Wednesday is a rare match in that it will be played on artificial turf at the Finnair Stadium in Helsinki.

UEFA help
Finland has benefited from UEFA's help in recent years courtesy of the ambitious HatTrick assistance programme for national associations, with 19 artificial turf pitches having been laid in the country so far. "Within the next three years we will reach 100 new artificial pitches, most of which we hope will have heating systems," said Football Association of Finland president Pekka Hämäläinen. "These pitches are one of the cornerstones of our efforts to improve the level of Finnish football."

Much talk
There has been much talk about the pitch before the Group A match. Some players are not keen; others acknowledge it is the best choice of surface for late autumn in Finland. "At least it is not uneven like the pitch in Yerevan," said Finland centre-back Hannu Tihinen in the wake of last month's goalless draw in Armenia. "I have nothing against playing on artificial grass. When I was playing for HJK Helsinki, we trained indoors on a similar kind of pitch during the winter."

'Crucial'
Artificial pitches "are crucial for countries like Finland", according to national coach Roy Hodgson, because of the weather – long, cold winters with plenty of ice and snow. "These pitches are a key factor for our game's development," added the experienced Englishman.

Zero degrees
During the past week, temperatures in Helsinki have been around 0C, with a few centimetres of snow covering the ground. In such conditions, the artificial surface at the Finnair Stadium is probably the best place to play football outdoors in Finland. "At this time of the year, maybe we just have to accept that artificial turf is the best option," Hodgson continued.

Kavén setback
Finland's No2 goalkeeper Mikko Kavén injured a finger in training on Monday and is not available for Wednesday's game. "I'm sorry for him," said Hodgson. "However, we have three goalkeepers and two of them are fully prepared for the match. Apart from Mikko, the whole squad is fit and ready."

The UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying encounter between Finland and Armenia on Wednesday is a rare match in that it will be played on artificial turf at the Finnair Stadium in Helsinki.

UEFA help
Finland has benefited from UEFA's help in recent years courtesy of the ambitious HatTrick assistance programme for national associations, with 19 artificial turf pitches having been laid in the country so far. "Within the next three years we will reach 100 new artificial pitches, most of which we hope will have heating systems," said Football Association of Finland president Pekka Hämäläinen. "These pitches are one of the cornerstones of our efforts to improve the level of Finnish football."

Much talk
There has been much talk about the pitch before the Group A match. Some players are not keen; others acknowledge it is the best choice of surface for late autumn in Finland. "At least it is not uneven like the pitch in Yerevan," said Finland centre-back Hannu Tihinen in the wake of last month's goalless draw in Armenia. "I have nothing against playing on artificial grass. When I was playing for HJK Helsinki, we trained indoors on a similar kind of pitch during the winter."

'Crucial'
Artificial pitches "are crucial for countries like Finland", according to national coach Roy Hodgson, because of the weather – long, cold winters with plenty of ice and snow. "These pitches are a key factor for our game's development," added the experienced Englishman.

Zero degrees
During the past week, temperatures in Helsinki have been around 0C, with a few centimetres of snow covering the ground. In such conditions, the artificial surface at the Finnair Stadium is probably the best place to play football outdoors in Finland. "At this time of the year, maybe we just have to accept that artificial turf is the best option," Hodgson continued.

Kavén setback
Finland's No2 goalkeeper Mikko Kavén injured a finger in training on Monday and is not available for Wednesday's game. "I'm sorry for him," said Hodgson. "However, we have three goalkeepers and two of them are fully prepared for the match. Apart from Mikko, the whole squad is fit and ready."

LISBON, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Winger Cristiano Ronaldo has been passed fit for Portugal's Euro 2008 Group A qualifier with Kazakhstan on Wednesday.

Ronaldo, who was in some doubt after picking up a left leg injury during Manchester United's 1-0 Premier League win over Blackburn on Saturday, took part in Tuesday's training session without apparent problem.