Former Fulham striker Brian McBride almost returned to the club during the January transfer window it has been revealed.

Cottagers boss Roy Hodgson said he held talks with the 36-year old American to come back to the club on a short-term deal but McBride's current club, Chicago Fire, did not allow the move.

"We held talks with Brian, who was very interested in joining us, and it was very advanced talks," Hodgson said.

"We would even have agreed a loan deal for him, until the end of the season.

"But Chicago finally turned down this option because they wanted to keep him for four important games."