Crystal Palace's bid to sign Mark Hudson on a permanent basis looks doomed to failure, but on-loan goalkeeper Nico Vaesen can play if the club reach the play-offs.

Twenty-two-year-old Hudson's three-month loan spell expired after the 1-1 draw with Wigan on Saturday, and the two clubs have not been able to complete a permanent deal.

Fulham are understood to have insisted on retaining an option on Hudson, which neither the player or Palace were willing to accept, so he was forced to return to Fulham's Motspur Park training ground on Tuesday.

Hudson endured a difficult start when Iain Dowie took him on loan in January, but his partnership with Tony Popovic has blossomed over 14 games as Palace have surged up the table.

Dowie said: "If Mark does go back then it's a blow to us but we get on with it. We have got Mikele Leigertwood, Kit (Symons), and Darren Powell getting closer to fitness."

Palace have agreed an extension to Vaesen's loan spell from Birmingham City to allow him to play in the play-offs.

The Belgian keeper has kept three clean sheets in six games, but a 24-hour recall clause in his loan deal, and an impending two-match ban for Blues number one Maik Taylor had led to fears Steve Bruce would recall him to St Andrews, where he has been offered a new on year contract.