McBride: Saha's too quick for me

And while the manager and striker may not want fans to compare the two, the pressure will be on the American until another goalscorer arrives at the club.

He said: "I don't think anybody can fill Saha's boots and it isn't about being someone else. I am confident I can help out but it has to be in my own way.

"To replace him will be very difficult. But I talked to the coach when I got here and he said he was thinking about bringing me over in the summer. He said he didn't think he would have the room or the money before.

"He also wanted to make sure I didn't think I was a replacement for Saha because we are two different types of players.

"Louis is very fast, he turns quickly and has got a great shot. I am more of a centre forward and I won't be going by people like Thierry Henry.

"I want to be an outlet for the team and hope I have a good touch and keep the flow going."

McBride is good in the air and can hold the ball up. He has played as a lone striker in a system similar to the one preferred by Coleman and will rely on Luis Boa Morte and Steed Malbranque to support from the wings.

He is not fazed by the situation he has inherited. He said: "Did Saha leaving open up a slot? I am not sure. But I am pleased to be here and excited about the challenge.

"The move came about late and it was all done in about three days.

"The talks were with Blackburn for quite some time and then Fulham came in and offered the MLS and me and my family a better package.

"I think my agent talked to Graeme Souness and my understanding was that things were okay. I hope there was no bad blood and I really appreciated their interest."

McBride's first chance to make an impression with Fulham may come tomorrow against Tottenham at Loftus Road.

He is likely to be a substitute with Barry Hayles, who tore Spurs apart earlier this season, given another chance to prove himself. But that may suit McBride who has not played since October because of shoulder surgery. The American has been back in full training for two weeks and is confident he would not be too rusty if called on.

He would love the chance to face his national team room-mate and Spurs goalkeeper Kasey Keller with bragging rights at stake.

"There is always a rivalry between friends and he is a very close friend of mine. It would be nice to score against him," McBride said.

Carlos Bocanegra, another US international recently signed by Fulham, no doubt feels the same and will be doing his bit to contribute to the mini American convention at Loftus Road.

But while the defender is in his first stint in England and cannot quite yet work out why Jordan is all over some of the newspapers, McBride has seen it all before.

After a loan spell with Preston more than three years ago, the striker made a temporary move to Everton last season.

He scored four times in eight appearances for David Moyes' side including a goal on his debut against Spurs in a 4-3 defeat.

McBride said: "That was after the same situation when I had only been over for a week. It meant a lot to get my first goal in the Premiership. It was on television back home and all my friends were watching, my wife and our families so it was great."

Despite McBride's success at Everton, promises of a permanent move never materialised.

He is disappointed that Fulham did not register in time for him to get his own back against his old club in the FA Cup last Sunday and upset that he will be unavailable for next week's replay as a result.

But he has probably got enough on his plate trying to help his new club's fans forget about Saha.