Adam Liddle and Danny Lupano futures up in air as Declan Devine admits duo may not return to Derry City

The duo, who joined the Candy Stripes on-loan from Hull and Reading respectively, have not yet returned to Foyle side and Devine admits both remain in football limbo at present.

City’s other players and staff received welcomed news this week when it was announced that all the COVID-19 tests carried out at four SSE Airtricity League clubs, of which Derry was one, had returned negative results.

However Liddle and Lupano were not tested in Derry with the rest of the squad after Devine confirmed it was best if the pair stayed in England for the foreseeable future.

“The two people I didn’t bring back were Adam Liddle and Danny Lupano,” revealed Devine.

“We need a bit of concrete information first in terms of Adam because his contract has expired at Reading. We have to be fair to the boy, if there isn’t going to be any football, or any season here, then we have to speak to him in relation to that.

“I spoke to him yesterday (Thursday) morning and he’s fine with that. He totally understands but it’s difficult for him.

“Danny Lupano is getting tested at Hull. Stephen Mallon was in the country so it was easy for him to get here and get tested. Everybody is here apart from Danny and Adam.”

The Derry boss remains hopeful the duo will return to the Brandywell if and when the season gets up and running again.

“Once we get confirmation in terms of the way we are moving forward then we’ll be able to speak to those players about what we can provide,” he added.

“We absolutely 100 per cent want to bring them both back again but we have to be fair to players as well.

“Adam Liddle is looking for a contract and if our season isn’t going to get up and running but other associations are, then Adam’s probably best getting back playing somewhere.

“Ultimately we want to bring him back but we need to know what the plan ahead is for us. Then we’ll be able to sit down with the boy and see where we can take it.

“Danny has been offered an extension at Hull which is good for us. Paddy (McCourt) spoke with Grant McCann (Hull manager) last week and they would be happy for him to stay but, again, we have to make sure we have the season up and going again before finalise anything.

“Danny has shown a magnificent attitude and wants to come back. Luckily for him he’s getting tested at Hull but he’s another one who is in limbo because I can’t go and speak in terms of contracts or anything like that. It’s frustrating but number one, we don’t know when the transfer window is going to take place and, number two, we need to have a bit of concrete evidence that we are going to get back playing.”

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