James McClean denies claims of Derry City return but link persists

The 34-year-old Ireland international is a free agent after his contract at relegated Wigan Athletic expired on Monday

DERRY FAN: Ireland international James McClean attends Derry City's SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match against Shamrock Rovers at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium earlier in May. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

James McClean has thrown cold water over talk of an imminent Derry City homecoming – dismissing reports as “fake news”.

The Ireland international – set to reach a century of caps in next month’s Euro qualification double-header against Greece and Gibraltar – is a free agent after his contract at relegated Wigan Athletic expired on Monday.