James McClean back in Derry City training as talks over future continue

James McClean during a Derry City open training session at The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

James McClean turned up and participated in Derry City’s training despite the club seeking a premature end to his contract.

The Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium staged the session on Wednesday morning.

As a phalanx of cameras surrounded the entrance, the former Ireland centurion drove his vehicle through the gates.

Once parked up and asked if he was still a Derry City player, the local Foylesider replied with an arm hoisted: “Clearly.” 

The second part of today’s session was open to the public, allowing hundreds of kids involved in Derry’s Féile festivities to watch proceedings. 

McClean happily obliged requests for photographs and autographs.

His return to the League of Ireland in January after 15 years in the UK was lauded as a major coup for both the club and the domestic game but the likelihood is his two-year deal being restricted to just 17 Premier Division games.

Derry aren’t convinced of the 37-year-old’s physical capabilities to withstand the demands of the top-tier, particularly considering he revealed in May an imminent risk of a hip injury ending his career.

There have been differences of opinion over his fitness for matches, the latest being last Friday’s win against Sligo Rovers.

That was the first game following the sacking of manager Tiernan Lynch. McClean had clashed with the management team that included Lynch’s brother Seamus, leading to an irretrievable breakdown in the relationship.

A presumption that his departure would smooth the return of McClean to frontline involvement proved wide of the mark as the club were sympathetic to Tiernan amidst the player’s frequent public pronouncements undermining the manager. 

His social media rants haven’t gone down well with the hierarchy, led by billionaire owner Philip O’Doherty.

McClean is being backed in his case by the Players Football Association of Ireland. Their solicitor Stuart Gilhooly retweeted footage of McClean’s arrival to training, adding the quote: “A man happy to be at work. Derry and Ireland legend. Derry are lucky to have him!” 

Derry City have so far refused to comment while talks over the severance remain live.

Their next game is Friday’s visit to UCD in the FAI Cup round of 16.