Alex McCarthy loan move to Fulham from Crystal Palace collapses

Alex McCarthy's proposed loan move from Crystal Palace to Fulham has fallen through.

The two clubs were believed to have agreed a 93-day loan for the goalkeeper, who has struggled to establish himself as a first-team regular at Selhurst Park, starting just six games following a move from QPR last summer.  

He passed a medical on Monday evening only for the deal to collapse as he held talks at Fulham's training ground with the parties unwilling to commit to the agreement. 

Palace were initially happy for McCarthy to leave on loan, but were not pursuing a replacement goalkeeper at the time the deal was called off.  

Palace boss Alan Pardew earlier said he thought it was only fair that McCarthy be allowed to leave to get first-team football.

"[McCarthy's] a great goalie and we want to get him up to speed and get him back playing his best football, so he needs game time," he said.

"I took that option, rather than Jules [Speroni] going out, because Jules is Palace through and through and I want him around in case anything happens to Wayne [Hennessey].

"We brought him here, and he started the season. It didn't quite work out, Wayne's come in and grabbed his chance, so it's only fair on him."