Tim Nilsen's exit suited both parties - insists Derry City manager Declan Devine

The Norwegian, who only joined City in January, played in Derry’s four league games prior to the COVID-19 shutdown but failed to score or make much of an impact in any of the games.

Nilsen’s departure means Devine is on the lookout for a new striker and hopes to strengthen his squad in the coming weeks. However, the City boss admitted he is being frustrated by the lack of a confirmed date for the resumption of the 2020 season.

“We wish Tim all the best. He came in and it hasn’t worked out for one reason and another,” explained Devine.

“His wife is pregnant back in Norway and I think it suited all parties that he went back. We wish him every success in the rest of his career.

“We are definitely in the market now for bringing in a centre-forward, there’s no doubt about that.

“The transfer window isn’t officially open yet, that’s the bottom line, but we are definitely looking to freshen the squad up. At the minute there are so many players available and we would be very foolish if we weren’t looking at the transfer market.

“In the next 24 hours we’ll hopefully get more clarification on the loan players but unfortunately the same situation still applies, we are waiting on concrete evidence of what’s happening with the season. After that we’ll then be in touch with the players who were on-loan.”

The Candy Stripes boss also revealed that Ireland U21 winger, Stephen Mallon, whose loan deal from Premier League side Sheffield United expires tomorrow, is a priority signing and talks to extend his spell at the Brandywell from the Bramall Lane club are continuing.

“Obviously Stevie Mallon, who continues to train with us, is a priority for us, we desperately want to keep him at the club,” he insisted.

“His loan deal expires today but we are negotiating with Sheffield United about him and hopefully we’ll have a bit of news over the next couple of days.

“However, as I said, he’s training with us and the lines of communication are open. We are speaking regularly with Sheffield United but we need confirmation on the season starting back.

“First and foremost, you can’t bring any players in if you don’t have confirmation of when the League of Ireland season is going to start back.

“The bottom line is once we do get the clarification of when we are going again, then Stevie’s loan deal is one that we want to try and push through as quickly as possible.”

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