James McClean fears chronic hip injury could end his career
JAMES McClean fears a chronic hip injury could be career-ending after a medical specialist told him he had 'no business being on a football pitch' due to its severity.
The Ireland centurion, who turned 37 on Wednesday, will attend a 'last chance' appointment with his specialist on Friday to determine whether an operation could extend his illustrious playing career.
However, in a social media post on Thursday afternoon following a training session with Derry City at Celtic Park, McClean described the past six weeks as 'hell' and explained how the injury could signal the end of his 'dream' return to his hometown club.
The winger, who won 103 caps for his country, described how he's struggled not only with playing football but 'playing with the wains, putting on my socks, walking' as he updated fans on his long-standing condition and continued absence from the team.
McClean also suggested that playing on the much-maligned Brandywell Stadium artificial surface had potentially exacerbated his condition.
He's played 11 of 13 fixtures with the Candy Stripes since signing from Wrexham including the President's Cup Final against Shamrock Rovers. He was sent off in his last appearance in the 2-2 draw with Dundalk at Oriel Park on April 10th but he's hoping it's not the final time he represents the club and promised he won't 'lay down without a fight.'
"This is a difficult post for me to write for a number of reasons - mainly due to the uncertainty of the outcome - but I feel it's best to put it in black and white," he posted on Instagram. "More importantly, to show that this is coming from me and me only and that there's no speculation or rumours.
"For the past few years I have been playing through difficulties with my hip and though I have managed and played through the pain, the impact of training and playing on astro has sped up the damage much faster than I ever anticipated.
"The past six weeks have been hell - pain is something I have been able to get on with and play with throughout my career but it is the restriction and not being able to move which is what I am struggling with physically obviously but also mentally. Never mind trying to compete on the football pitch but just every day life, playing with my wains, putting on my socks, walking etc.
"I was told by a specialist 10 days ago that my body currently, 'has no business being on a football pitch' due to the severity of the damage to my hip. I respect his honesty and his expert opinion but I have never been one to lay down without a fight.
"Tomorrow's appointment is a last chance for me to hopefully get a surgery - if it's even possibility - of which will allow me to do what I have dreamt of doing, and that's being able to contribute while in an acceptable physical state to do so. That is playing for a club I love in Derry City.
"I felt it was important for me to share this because it could be a while - if ever even - until I have the opportunity to do so again."