James McClean: Ex-Republic of Ireland international hits out at Derry City treatment amid dispute

James McClean says he cannot "understand or accept" how he has been treated by Derry City amid an ongoing contract dispute with the club.

In a statement released on the Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland (PFAI) website, the former Republic of Ireland international describes attempts by the League of Ireland club to terminate his contract as "incomprehensible" and says he will decide himself when is the right time to retire.

The 37-year-old insists he is still fit and available to play "when called upon" despite being left out of the squad by interim manager Mark Connolly.

McClean, who said the past few months have been "one of the most difficult periods of my life", did apologise for some "misjudged" actions on his part over recent months, adding that "his frustrations should have remained in-house".

He returned to his hometown club from Wrexham in the close-season in January but has not been included in a match-day squad since the Candystripes' Uefa Conference League defeat by Rijeka in early July.

Connolly 'sticking with same squad' amid McClean absence

McClean shares discontent with Derry City return

Reports have indicated in recent months that Derry attempted to terminate McClean's contract because of persistent injuries, a matter alluded to in Tuesday's statement by the PFAI.

The statement says that Derry had attempted to invoke Section 18 of the Standard Players Contract, which permits them to terminate a contract with six months' notice when a player is deemed to have a "permanent incapacity", as confirmed by an independent physician.

"For any club to feel it is OK to attempt to terminate a player's contract without any due process or just cause is incomprehensible, and it sets a dangerous precedent for every player in this league," said McClean.

"I am not permanently incapacitated, or anything even remotely close to that. I am capable of contributing and doing well in the League of Ireland. I train as hard and give as much as anyone.

"I will decide when I retire. Nobody else will make that decision for me. When that time comes, my body will tell me. This is my life and my career. I deserve the same duty of care and fairness given to the majority of other players at Derry City FC."

The PFAI gave further information on the nature and extent of the player's injury.

"In short, James has had a hip injury which had been causing intermittent issues for him. This has caused him to miss some games and occasional training sessions," the statement read.

"He has sought medical treatment for this and is currently fit and well.

"He has trained fully for the last nine weeks and has made himself available for selection. He recently played in an internal match arranged by the club. He believes he can help the team and has not been provided with a satisfactory reason for being left out of the squad."

Timing of statement 'frustrating' - Connolly

Speaking to BBC Sport NI on Tuesday, Connolly admitted the timing of the statement in the build-up to Saturday's FAI Cup semi-final against Galway United (15:00 BST) was "frustrating".

"It's disappointing, not for me, you just get on and do your job," said Connolly.

"The biggest thing is there's lads in that dressing room that have not played in a cup semi-final before. It's a big week for them, their families and all that.

"It's frustrating but again my full focus now is on making sure the players are ready for Saturday and making sure we go to Galway and give a good account of ourselves."

In a statement, Derry City said it was not notified about the PFAI and McClean's statement prior to its publication.

"The Club welcomes James' acknowledgement that some of his recent actions were misjudged and that his frustrations should have remained in-house," the club said.

"At all times, the Club has sought to resolve this internal matter privately. Out of respect for confidentiality and the fact that this dispute involves sensitive medical details regarding James' hip condition, the Club have previously refrained from making any public statement on the matter.

"While the PFAI and James have chosen to publicise selective elements of the medical advice received, the Club does not propose to comment further on James' current medical condition."

Derry City added they are "fully aware of the obligations it owes to all contracted players".

"All squad members who are deemed fully fit remain available for selection. Ultimately, matchday selection remains the sole prerogative of the management team, acting in conjunction with guidance from our medical staff."

The club said it will make no further comment as they prepare for Saturday's FAI Cup semi-final against Galway United (15:00 BST).