Derry City close in on Will Patching loan deal as Dundalk friendly is in doubt

The 22-year-old, who signed a two-year deal with the Lilywhites last season, is believed to be close to completing a loan switch and will be a welcome addition to Declan Devine’s midfield.

The former Manchester City academy player was a highly regarded talent in his youth and represented England up until under 18 level.

In fact, he was part of the squad that competed in the U17 World Cup in 2015 with Liverpool and England defender Trent Alexander Arnold and Everton’s Tom Davies amongst his team-mates.

Meanwhile Derry’s opening friendly of the 2021 season against Dundalk next Tuesday is in doubt. The game, which is scheduled for the Ryan McBride Brandywell looks set to be postponed as Filippo Giovagnoli’s squad have a number of injuries.

One man who is hoping next week’s game does take place is Shantallow native Patrick McEleney, who is looking forward to the 2021 campaign and wants to have an injury free campaign.

The 28-year-old, who is going into his final year of his contract, struggled with a series of injuries last term but just wants to focus on the forthcoming season.

“This is my last year of my contract and while I had a few injuries last year, which wasn’t ideal, I think I still got to play nearly 75 per cent of the games,” he insisted.

“To be honest I actually did well with the amount of injuries I had last season to play as much as I did, but there’s no doubt that I need to try and stay injury free this year and have a big year.

“As I said before, last year I had a lot of injuries but I managed to come back in play in every big game and even the year before we were a kick of the ball away from winning the treble and while I missed that cup final, I still managed to play most of our big games over the last few years.

“However this season is big for me and I know I have to have a big season. I have absolutely no doubts about myself, but I just want a big season so that I can kick-on and then whatever happens after that we’ll wait and see.

“Pre-season has been hard but to be honest it’s just the same as usual. I’m well used to it now and I know what to expect and how to get myself ready for it, but I’m just glad to be back.”

The former Oldham Athletic man feels that the arrivals of Danny Lafferty and David Parkhouse will ensure his old club will be back on the right track this season.

After a disappointing 2020 season for the Candy Stripes, McEleney believes signing local players will help the side this year.

“Being from Derry, I know how much it means for Derry lads to be playing and they only know to give 100 per cent and nothing less,” he stated.

“So I think bringing Parky and Danny back is good and it’s just a given that all the local lads will give everything for the club.”

McEleney knows that there’s still a winning mentality in the Dundalk dressing room, despite losing duo Sean Hoare and Sean Gannon to nearest rivals Shamrock Rovers.

The Oriel Park men, who finished a massive 22 points behind Rovers in last season’s truncated campaign, proved that they are more than a match for the Dubliners after their FAI Cup success over the Hoops and McEleney insists there’s enough hunger and desire to wrestle the title back off Stephen Bradley’s side in 2021.

“We have a winning changing room,” he insisted. “If you look through the spine of team we obviously still have our centre-halves in (Brian) Gartland, (Andy) Boyle and (Daniel) Cleary and there’s me, (Chris) Shields in midfield and up front we have Pat Hoban and David McMillan and then you obviously have Mickey (Duffy), who is also a winner, so I don’t think anything is going to change. As long as we stay fit, myself included, we’ll be right up there, I have no doubt.”

McEleney also belives that Bohemians, St Pat’s Athletic and his former club Derry will all fancy their chances of mixing it with Dundalk and Rovers this season.

“Rovers are a great side and I think everyone expected the final to be good and it was, as we are obviously two good teams, but I’m sure there’s other teams around us who’ll be looking towards that league title.

“Obviously St Pat’s, Bohs and Derry are big teams who will want to do well this season, so it’s going to be another tough season. It’s never easy.”