Mahamadou Diarra's hopes of earning a new Fulham deal have been dealt a fresh blow after Rene Meulensteen revealed the midfielder is 'nowhere near' a return to fitness.

The former Real Madrid star hasn’t featured for the first team since December last year due to a serious knee injury.

Diarra’s contract expired in the summer, but he has been training at Motspur Park in a bid to prove his fitness.

The 32-year-old made his long-awaited return for Fulham's under-21s against Reading in September, only to suffer another setback.

Crystal Palace have been linked with a move for the free agent, but Cottagers boss Meulensteen says Diarra is still a long way off.

The Dutchman said: “He is still recovering. He is nowhere near [full fitness].”