McClean remains Derry City player - Connolly

Derry City interim manager Mark Connolly has reiterated that James McClean remains employed by the club despite speculation over his future.

Former Republic of Ireland international McClean attended an open training session on Tuesday amid reports that the club are attempting to find a settlement that will end his time at the Brandywell Stadium.

“It was interesting to see the speculation on him turning up for training [on Tuesday],” said Connolly, the Candystripes’ director of football who took on responsibility for the first team following Tiernan Lynch’s departure last week.

“Ultimately he’s trained sometimes and he hasn’t trained sometimes due to his age.

“James is a Derry City player and we keep moving forward. He’s one of 20-odd players. They’re all Derry City players.”

Connolly said he was not completely sure of the “ins and outs” of any discussions with McClean and that his focus is on Friday’s third round FAI Cup tie away to UCD.

The former Sunderland midfielder returned to Derry from Wrexham in January on a multi-year deal but his second stint at his hometown club has not gone according to plan.

The 37-year-old has spoken about his frustrations with the move on numerous occasions, including posting about “issues” within the club after they were knocked out of the Uefa Conference League qualifiers last month.

Capped 103 times by his country, he has not featured in the past five match-day squads and dissatisfaction on both sides appeared to be coming to a head over the weekend.

A video posted on social media on Friday night showed McClean watching his former side Wrexham at the same time Derry were in action at home against Sligo Rovers.

Despite reports that McClean is in the final days at the club he first represented between 2008 and 2011, he trained on Tuesday and spent time signing autographs for supporters.

When arriving, he was asked by a BBC NI reporter if he was still a Derry City player and McClean lifted his boots towards the camera before responding “clearly”.

Analysis – McClean drama the latest challenge for Derry this season

This McClean saga is the latest chapter in what has been a challenging season for Derry.

There was naturally much excitement when the club announced McClean’s return and an expectation that, after a runners-up finish last time around, he could use his 600 plus appearances in English football to help Derry end their long wait for the Premier Division title.

However, the fairytale ending of a first league win since 1997 never appeared close to materialising.

Derry are sat sixth in the table and 21 points behind league leaders Shamrock Rovers, a run of form that cost manager Tiernan Lynch his job last week.

While McClean displayed glimpses of his skill back in red and white, his comeback has been one plagued with injuries, absences from squads and cutting social media posts.

As tensions grew, McClean’s appearances in the squad shrank sparking more and more questions over how long the relationship can last.

Should McClean have kicked his last ball in Derry colours, there is no doubt it will a disappointing ending for all involved.