The 32-year-old is down the pecking order at Selhurst Park and has been told he can leave Selhurst Park by Eagles boss Neil Warnock.

Bristol City were expected to complete the signing of the ex-Ipswich and Leicester target man before Monday's transfer window closure, but the deal fell through.

The window promptly slammed shut with Warnock unable to offload Scowcroft and a host of other senior players he is keen to get off the wage bill.

Warnock, whose side have started the season in abject fashion, must clear the decks before he can strengthen his squad.

And with the emergency loan market re-opening on Monday, Warnock is expected to intensify his efforts to get senior players including Scowcroft, Paul Ifill and Shefki Kuqi moved on.

Huddersfield and Watford are understood to be interested in Scowcroft, according to sources in the capital.

Meanwhile, Town boss Stan Ternent is sweating over the fitness of Danny Cadamarteri, who suffered a hamstring injury just 20 minutes into last weekend's 2-1 loss at Millwall.

The striker, in eye-catching form this term, was blighted by hamstring problems at the start of last term and missed eight matches before a separate knee problem sidelined him for the rest of in an injury-disrupted campaign.

Cadamarteri was ruled out of yesterday's clash at Cheltenham and the 28-year-old faces a race against time to be fit for next Saturday's home encounter with Tranmere Rovers at the Galpharm Stadium.

Speaking earlier this week, Ternent said: "We're hoping that it's just a tweak rather than a more serious problem, but he could still be looking at a fortnight on the sidelines at best."

Deadline day passed with a whimper at Town, the only activity seeing 19-year-old defender Shane Killock join Blue Square North outfit Harrogate Town on a short-term loan.

Killock is a product of Huddersfield's much-heralded academy, run by Gerry Murphy.

He has had prior experience of non-league football at Ossett Albion and in the Blue Square North with Hyde United where he had a loan spell last season.

Killock – who made his first-team debut at Crewe last season – joins former Town duo Matt Young and Aaron Hardy at Harrogate.

The youngster made his debut in Town's 2-0 home success over AFC Telford on Tuesday evening.

Ternent said: "With reserve matches quite scarce this season, it's a good chance for Shane to get some competitive football under his belt."