James McClean takes part in Derry City open training session as future at club remains uncertain

James McClean took part in an open training session at Derry City on Tuesday following efforts by the club to terminate his contract. With fans in attendance, McClean signed autographs and posed for photographs as rumours swirled about a premature end to a sour homecoming.The Irish Times understands that Derry City sought to terminate McClean’s contract this week, claiming he has been incapacitated by a hip injury. McClean rejects this and says he is not willing to leave the club. His Derry contract runs for another two years, through to summer 2028.It is understood that Derry cited a clause in the standard player contract for a League of Ireland player that allows a club to terminate a player’s contract with six months’ pay if the player “suffers permanent incapacity”. This is subject to an evaluation by an independent doctor approved by both the club and the player. No independent evaluation related to McClean’s fitness has yet been furnished.McClean, who turned 37 in April, said earlier this year that he had received medical advice to retire from football because of a persistent hip injury. A week later he shared a positive update following an appointment with a specialist, in which he was given an injection that allowed him to continue playing.READ MOREJames McClean gives his training top to a young fan at the Brandywell after the Derry City open training session. Photograph: Jonathan Porter/Inpho/Presseye This episode is the latest chapter in a turbulent return to his hometown club. Derry, runners-up last season, have won just seven league games all season and sit in sixth position, closer to the relegation playoff position than the European spots. Manager Tiernan Lynch parted company with the club last week, with the recently hired director of football Mark Connolly stepping in as interim manager.Meanwhile, McClean has been unable to hide his frustrations throughout the season, which has fed tensions with senior figures at Derry City. He obliquely complained about broken promises during a punditry appearance on RTÉ during the World Cup and following Derry’s Conference League qualifier exit to Rijeka last month, McClean posted a thinly-veiled criticism of Tiernan Lynch online.“You watch the games, the lads aren’t losing these games based on lack of effort,” said McClean. “So clearly there is an issue somewhere.” When McClean was left out of the squad for last Friday’s league victory over Sligo Rovers, he posted an Instagram photo of a concurrent TV broadcast of his former club, Wrexham.Derry face UCD in the third round of the FAI Cup on Friday, a game for which McClean says he is available.Derry City did not respond to a request for comment.