MacDonald Move Looks Doubtful

Plymough Argyle sacked their manager, Carl Fletcher on New Year's Day with the League 2 club struggling fourth from bottom, just two points off the drop zone. This looks to be bad news for the ambitions of Burnley striker, Alex MacDonald who has made no secret of the fact that he would like to have signed permanently for the Pilgrims in the January window.

The 22 year old forward has now had two loan spells with Argyle, one last season and one that has just completed this season. He is currently back at Turf Moor now wondering what the future holds.

His agent, James Cook speaking to the local Devon media suggests the lad is 'shattered' indicating that Fletcher would have been a major factor in the Scotland Under-21 international making a permanent move to Plymouth. MacDonald had apparantly grown very fond of Argyle and was looking forward to moving his family to the West Country.

Cook now believes a move is unlikely telling the media:

'It's a major blow to Alex. I don't think the move is going to happen now.

'Given Argyle have not yet appointed a new manager, it's extremely doubtful, which is a real shame for both Alex and the club. It's fair to say Alex was shattered when he heard Carl Fletcher had lost his job.

'He was on the phone to me straight away and I could tell he was upset, not just because his plans were up in the air, but also because Fletcher was no longer the manager.

'Alex loved his time at Home Park and was looking forward to getting back there on a permanent basis once the transfer window opened.

'He'd spent time on loan at Plymouth and that was successful, although Alex had missed not having his family around him. He has a baby daughter, Chloe, who was born in May and I know it hurt Alex a lot being away from his partner and little girl.

'But he was willing to uproot them from the North West and bring them down to the South West, so that he can play football regularly.'

A move however is not totally ruled out but it depends on the new manager at Home Park once he is appointed. An appointment is expected early next week

MacDonald agreed a new contract with Burnley at the end of last season but the one-year deal runs out this summer.

The young lad clearly 'wants away' from Turf Moor so let's hope a resolution can be found and that the new Argyle manager takes a shine to him and that a deal can be done.

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