Remember this? We could be seeing this again at Derry City if new manager Declan Devine gets his way

Declan Devine’s first task as Derry City manager will be to convince Barry McNamee to return to the Brandywell.

The new manager is expected to meet with McNamee in the coming days, with the midfielder now a free agent after leaving Cork City.

McNamee had been in talks with Sligo Rovers when Lyttle was in charge, but with the situation changing at the Bit O’Red, the 26-year-old is considering all options, with a return to the club he left in 2017 a strong possibility.

McNamee’s time at Cork City did not go as smoothly as he had hoped, as he was often played out of his preferred midfield position and was left out of the squad entirely for the FAI Cup semi-final against Bohemians. McNamee’s last appearance with Cork was as a second half substitute in the FAI Cup final defeat to Dundlak at the Aviva Stadium.

Devine also faces a challenge to convince Aaron McEneff to remain at Derry City, with the midfielder in talks with both Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk.

The 23-year-old was City’s top scorer last season with 15 goals from midfield, and has been assessing his options for the past two weeks.

McEneff has met with City Chairman Philip O’Doherty but has also visited Dundalk with his parents as he mulls over the next move in his career.