Joe Hodge to depart Derry without making an appearance as injury mars Manchester City loan

Derry City have confirmed that Republic of Ireland under-19 player Joe Hodge will remain with parent club Manchester City until the end of his injury-hit loan spell.

The midfielder was brought in ahead of the 2021 season by then-manager Declan Devine but a back injury suffered in pre-season meant he would fail to make a single appearance for the Candystripes.

Securing the 18-year-old Hodge’s signature was deemed a coup for the Brandywell side, who have seen striker David Parkhouse and winger Stephen Mallon excel on loan in recent seasons.

Manchester-born Hodge is highly-rated at international level, having been promoted to the Ireland under-19 squad for the 2019 European Championships while still 16.

The playmaker scored the equaliser in a 1-1 draw with Norway as Tom Mohan’s side reached the semi-finals before succumbing to France.

He was also part of Colin O'Brien's side that hosted the under-17 Euros earlier that summer and played in all three of Ireland's group games.

Hodge is also held in high esteem at Eastlands, where he was named academy scholar of the year at the end of the 2019/20 season and had been expected to kick on this season before his injury.

He has spent the past three months recuperating at Manchester City and will remain there following the expiry of his loan in June.

“We have kept in contact with Joe, his family and Manchester City since the player returned home in February,” read a club statement.

“Joe's loan contract at the Brandywell is due to end next month and therefore he won't now be returning to the club.

“The management, staff, players and supporters here would like to wish Joe the very best over the coming weeks and look forward to following his career in the future.”

Ruaidhri Higgins: 'It's clear for everyone to see he's taken it 15-20 yards ahead of where it should have been'https://t.co/WamwCzT77ppic.twitter.com/uEewQmERKm

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