Danny Lafferty 'open' to return to Derry City

Shamrock Rovers wingback, Danny Lafferty in action against Derry City's Darren Cole this season.

The 31 year-old former Sheffield United and Burnley left-back is a free agent after his contract with league champions, Shamrock Rovers expired this week.

Derry City boss, Declan Devine has recently admitted it would be ‘reckless’ if the club didn’t pursue their interest in bringing the ex-Northern Ireland international back to Brandywell.

And preliminary talks with the player, who left Derry to join Burnley in 2012, are expected to take place in the coming days.

Carnhill native, Lafferty is weighing up all his options and while there is currently no offer on the table, he remains a fan and insists it’s an option he would certainly consider.

“I’m obviously open to speaking to people if anyone picks up the phone and wants to meet,” said Lafferty who lost out in the FAI Cup final with Rovers against Dundalk at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday.

“Obviously I’m available, so why would I not listen to what people have to say?” he questioned when asked if he would consider a potential offer from the Candy Stripes.

Rovers manager, Stephen Bradley has yet to sit down for talks about a new deal with the Tallaght club and Lafferty insists there have been ‘no doors closed’ just yet.

“The way the season finished, they (Rovers) were looking to sit down during the off season, similar to the way we went about it last year but there is no door closed there as such.

“I think he (Bradley) wants to have a sit down, whenever that may be. My contact is officially up but I didn’t put my name out on the transfer list.

“With regards to Derry, I obviously know the Derry staff quite well anyway and I took in a few of their games whenever I had the opportunity.

“It may come about that we have a sit down and chat as I know my name has been mentioned on a few occasions.

“But if Decky was to pick up the phone and arrange a sit down, why would I not?

“It’s definitely something I would be open to if Derry were to make an offer. I’m a Derry City fan so of course I would love to play for Derry again. It’s pretty much the one team I support.”

Lafferty has a great affection for the club where he won the First Division title in 2010 before his career took off in England.

And he thinks he could bring valuable experience to help improve the team.

“If it does materialise, and it’s all hypothetical, it will have come full circle having gone away to England and had decent success with a number of clubs.

“If I did come back it wouldn’t be a case of coming back to Derry just to settle down. No matter where I go I would hope to bring experience to it and try to improve the team. We’ll have to see what materialises in the coming days.”