Career
McAlinden signed his first professional contract in 2010 with Wolves, before making his senior debut on 27 April 2013 as a substitute in a 1–2 defeat to Burnley. He scored his first senior goal on 3 September 2013 in a Football League Trophy tie against Walsall. In October 2013 McAlinden was loaned to fellow League One club Shrewsbury Town for three months.
He scored on his club debut after coming on as a substitute against Gillingham, the first of three goals in nine appearances before being recalled by Wolves in early December.
In October 2014 McAlinden moved on a three-month-loan deal to League One Fleetwood Town. On 15 January 2015 McAlinden returned on loan to Fleetwood for the remainder of the season, where he scored two further goals during 14 appearances.
McAlinden returned to Shrewsbury Town for a second time on a half-season loan in July 2015. He is signed to Wolves until 2016.
On 10 March 2016 McAlinden signed a loan deal with Crawley Town until the end of the 2015-2016 season.