Dempsey: I'm tired of relegation battles

Before turning his attention towards helping the U.S. shock England at Wembley, Fulham ace Clint Dempsey insists that he has no intention of finishing in the bottom half of the Premier League next season, much less the relegation zone.

Fulham left Fratton Park with the three points needed to avoid relegation on the final day of the Premier League season, completing its own great escape with the 1-0 win over Portsmouth.

Dempsey is preparing to represent Team USA on Wednesday in the friendly against England and insists that he's bored of fighting against relegation with the Cottagers.

Now, the former New England Revolution man is targeting a top-half finish next term.

"You always want to be in one of the best leagues in the world and that is what the Premier League is," Dempsey told Sky Sports. "We have another year to right the wrongs. Basically the year-and-a-half I have been here we have been in the relegation battle.

"We are trying to make sure we don't do what we did last year. I'm looking forward to getting back to preseason. For a team that comes out of relegation trouble, realistically we are looking to finish in the top half. But who knows what will happen."

Dempsey admits that Roy Hodgson will likely perform surgery on the squad over the summer in a bid to bring better days to Craven Cottage.

Asked if he anticipated summer transfer movement, Dempsey said: "I think so. We have such a big squad we had so many numbers in a training session it was unrealistic sometimes.

"There will be more people going out, but also they are still trying to bring more quality to the side and you will see more faces."