Crystal Palace's James McCarthy should try and secure a move to Premier League rivals West Ham as the midfielder has struggled for regular game time under Roy Hodgson this season.

What's the word?

According to The Daily Mail, McCarthy has caught the attention of a number of Premier League clubs, with Brighton, Burnley, West Brom and West Ham among those watching his situation unfold with the midfielder out of contract in the summer.

It appears Palace are open to parting ways with the 30-year-old Republic of Ireland international, who has struggled so far this season, and indeed over recent seasons, since he moved to Selhurst Park from Everton for an undisclosed fee in August 2019.

McCarthy, who earns wages worth £50,000-per-week, scored ten goals in 133 games for the Toffees but has so far failed to find the back of the net in 43 appearances across all competitions for the Eagles, with Hodgson's side battling to stay above the relegation battle in the Premier League this season.

Take the opportunity

The midfielder has made just five starts in seven top-flight appearances this season so far equalling 423 minutes, due to both injury and not being preferred in the starting XI, which should act as a signal for McCarthy that his time is up at Selhurst Park. Therefore he must convince Steve Parish to sanction a move to West Ham before the January transfer window closes in ten days' time.

If West Ham have a legitimate interest in McCarthy, and no other offers arrive before the window closes, then Parish should seize the chance to offload the midfield outcast once and for all.

McCarthy's dramatic fall from grace started well before Jairo Riedewald's recent emergence, given the fact Hodgson was left frustrated by his disappointing performance in the Carabao Cup defeat against Colchester United in 2019.

Despite his best efforts, his chances have becoming increasingly scarce since the start of this season, and McCarthy will be well aware that a move elsewhere could lead to better opportunities otherwise he risks his career stagnating having fallen behind the likes of Riedewald, James McArthur and Luka Milivojevic in the pecking order under Hodgson this season.

In terms of statistics, both McArthur and Milivojevic currently average more clearances than McCarthy whilst the 33-year-old also makes more tackles (3.1) per match.

It's fair to say that the player who Hodgson once admitted he has "admired for a very long time" is a shadow of his former self - he endured a night to forget at the Etihad against Manchester City last time out as SofaScore graded him as one of the worst players on the pitch with a low 6.4 rating.

Given West Ham's shortage of options in midfield, he may find better opportunities elsewhere.

AND in other news, Crystal Palace should keep Christian Benteke or face consequences...