midfielder

James McClean admits his career is in jeopardy due to a long-standing hip injury and will explore the possibility of surgery to fix the problem.

The 37-year-old returned to Derry City this season, but says the Brandywell’s astroturf surface has acerbated the issue and received medical advice that he “has no business being on a football pitch”.

The Candystripes’ surface is in the process of being replaced with the grass surface at Derry GAA’s Celtic Park set to host at least five games until it is ready, beginning with Friday’s Premier Division clash against Shamrock Rovers [20:00 BST].

McClean, who was sent off for two yellows in the 2-2 draw against Dundalk on 10 April, is theoretically free to play, but is focused on what could be a “last chance for me to hopefully get a surgery”.

“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,” he posted on social media.

“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.”

The former Republic of Ireland international, who spent 15 years at English and Welsh clubs after first leaving the Brandywell in 2011, said he wanted to set the record straight about the “hell” he has gone through due the hip problem.

“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,” he explained.

“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.”

England and Real Madrid footballer Jude Bellingham has bought a 1% stake in cricket team Birmingham Phoenix.

The deal for The Hundred franchise, set to be confirmed on Wednesday, is worth around £800,000.

The eight franchises were put up for sale last year and American investment group Knighthead Capital Management, who own Bellingham’s former club Birmingham City, bought a 49% stake for £48m. Warwickshire retained their 51% stake.

Bellingham is a cricket fan and played junior cricket for Hagley Cricket Club in Worcestershire.

Asked in an interview last year which sportsperson he would swap places with, he said England Test captain Ben Stokes.

Legendary NFL quarterback Brady is also part of the Knighthead group.

Midtjylland midfielder Alamara Djabi is in a stable condition having been seriously injured in a stabbing in Denmark.

Local police confirmed the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday morning in Herning – the central Danish town where Midtjylland are based.

The 19-year-old from Guinea-Bissau was signed from Benfica’s academy in 2023 and has made two senior appearances for Midtjylland.

The club said in a statement that Djabi had been “in critical condition and underwent emergency surgery”.

“Since then, he has undergone another operation, and thanks to the professional efforts of the emergency responders and later the hospital staff, his condition is now stable,” Midtjylland added.

“He has awakened from an induced coma and is doing well under the circumstances.”

Djabi made seven appearances on loan with Portuguese second division side CD Mafra last season and played once this term for Midtjylland in Europa League qualifying.

The four-time Danish Superliga champions, who last won the title in 2024, are currently second – two points behind AGF.

Former Chelsea and Brazil midfielder Oscar has retired after being diagnosed with a heart condition.

The 34-year-old was treated in hospital in November after he became unwell during physical testing at Brazilian club Sao Paulo’s training centre.

It was determined he had experienced a case of vasovagal syncope, which is a common type of fainting caused by a sudden drop in blood pressure and heart rate.

Oscar, who won 48 caps for his country, has now cancelled his Sao Paulo contract, which had two years left to run.

“I wanted to do more for Sao Paulo, I wanted to play more. I think I had both the footballing ability and the age to play more, but unfortunately this happened,” Oscar said in an announcement posted on social media., external

“Now I’m going to retire and continue supporting Sao Paulo, continuing my life as a fan. I’m ending my career here at Sao Paulo, a career that has taken me to many places, practically all over the world.

“I’d like to thank everyone for their constant support, all the Sao Paulo fans who have backed me since my return and during this difficult time I’m going through.”

Oscar signed for Chelsea in July 2012, winning the Europa League in his first season and a Premier League and League Cup double in 2014-15.

He departed for Chinese Super League side Shanghai Port in January 2017, having scored 38 goals in 203 games, leaving a Chelsea squad that went on to seal another Premier League title in May.

He won three Chinese Super League titles with Shanghai Port, before returning to Sao Paulo, the club where he started his career, on a three-year deal in January 2025.