Former Sunderland winger James McClean reveals extent of hip injury as he faces uncertain future after emotional update

James McClean has opened up on the injury struggles that could bring his career to an early end following his return to boyhood club Derry City earlier this year.

The former Sunderland winger rejoined Derry in January after helping Wrexham secure back-to-back promotions from League Two to the Championship under Phil Parkinson.

However, his second spell in Ireland has been disrupted, with McClean registering three assists in 11 appearances before his last outing - a 2-2 draw against Dundalk on April 10 - which saw him sent off. The 37-year-old, who also enjoyed spells with Sunderland, Wigan Athletic, West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City, has now revealed the extent of a long-standing hip problem that has worsened significantly in recent weeks.

Posting on Instagram, McClean said: “To be honest, this is a difficult post for me to write for several reasons, mainly due to the uncertainty of the outcome, but I feel it's best to put it in black and white. More importantly, to show that this is coming from 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 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 everyday life, playing with my kids, putting on socks, walking. 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 a possibility, one 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 feel 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.”

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James McClean joined Sunderland from Derry City in 2011 for £350,000 under Steve Bruce, but made an impact under Martin O’Neill. He scored on his first start against Manchester City and went on to play a key role in the club’s Premier League survival that season. McClean won the club’s Young Player of the Year award in 2011-12 before departing in 2013 after making over 70 appearances. The attacker’s former clubs also include Wrexham and Institute.

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