McEleney target

RUAIDHRI HIGGINS is considering a move to secure Patrick McEleney from Dundalk during this month’s transfer window.

The Derry City boss this week wrapped up the futures of three of the club’s academy starlets while extending the contracts of Cameron McJannet and James Akintunde and bringing in Irish League hotshot Jamie

McGonigle.

Short

The Candystripes lose midfielder Will Patching back to Dundalk this morning after the Lilywhites opted to cut short his yearlong loan spell.

But McEleney ( inset) and his fellow ex- Derry teammate Michael Duffy are long- term targets of Derry who are closely monitoring unfolding events at Oriel Park.

McEleney has been playing on the right for

Dundalk in recent weeks with manager Vinny Perth opting for a 4-1- 4-1 system.

The gifted number ten is best suited to a central role and Patching’s return could further extend his stint in a wide role.

Derry have been keen to re- sign McEleney for the past 18 months but could not match the wages on offer at Dundalk.

How the expected departure of Dundalk owners Peak6 or the firm’s drastic cut in expenditure at the end of the season changes the landscape remains to be seen.

Neither McEleney nor Duffy have contracts that extend beyond 2021 and City may seek to strike now rather than wait until December with Duffy also a potential target.

City take on Waterford at the Brandywell tomorrow night with Danny Lupano not involved following his return to Hull City following the expiry of his loan deal.