'We must prepare for June return' - Derry City manager Declan Devine

Devine concedes the situation is fluid and likely to change again in the coming weeks but stressed he has to focus on a June 19th return until informed differently.

“My mind is still working on the fact that we will be back playing on June 19th, that’s what I’m targeting,” insisted Devine.

“If it’s pushed back again then I’ll look at it then, but at the moment we have got to be ready for June 19th by making sure we are organised and ready to go.

“We have to make sure the players are focused on that, they don’t start listening to misinformation. They have to stay focused on being ready for June 19th, until such times we are told differently.”

Devine said he was greatly encouraged by the FAI’s announcement this week that a host of options were on the table regarding getting the 2020 campaign up and running again alongside the possibility of extending the season.

“I was pleased the FAI issued a host of plans. If we don’t have hope then what have we got at this moment in time. We need to have something to look forward to and I’m sure it will be done in the right way,” he added.

“If it comes quicker than people are thinking, great, but if it doesn’t then at least we know we still have something to come back to and that’s the biggest plus from the recent FAI announcement.

“It’s good to see the FAI has four or five different options. That’s a big plus for me, that they are looking at different stages throughout the year, but if it starts early then brilliant, we’ll all be over the moon.

“I’m not sure about playing behind closed doors. I will be talking to the chairman and directors this evening (Thursday) but from my point of view nothing has really changed.

"We don’t know what next week is going to bring or what the announcement next week will be but, as I said, the one plus for me was that the FAI have a few ideas in place. It’s not just a ‘We are going to do this’ or ‘We are going to do that’.

“I have to give the FAI credit because they have been in constant contact with clubs who are then relaying the messages to the managers.

“The only thing set in stone at the minute is that the league could start on June 19th, that’s the only thing I’m focusing on.”

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