Derry chase new faces for title push as Dundalk sign Scott McGill

Derry went into the mid-season break in second place in the league, two points behind a Shelbourne side who have a game in hand, and July will be busy on and off the field with FAI Cup and Europa Conference League action as well as their bid to push for the league title.

While injury will sideline key men Patrick McEleney and Jordan McEneff for a spell, City also have a hole to fill with the sale last week of defender Cameron McJannet to Grimsby Town. They do have one new face as midfielder Jacob Davenport has agreed terms but Higgins knows he needs to beef up his squad.

"We'll be adding a couple and I think we'll be in a good place in a few weeks’ time. I think we're in a really good place as it stands but I think we'll be in a better place in a week or two,” Higgins told the Derry Journal.

“It really isn't an easy window and also because we have such a good dressing room with good people, it's really important that the players that come in have the same values and morals and want to be successful because you could bring in someone at this time of year that's not the right personality and it can disrupt the whole thing.

“So what I'd like to think we do quite well here is our homework and I think I'm quite confident that we can add a couple of good players to enhance the group.

“Well we're looking in all areas of the pitch, we're looking in all areas of the pitch, you see Jordan McEneff and Patrick McEleney are injured at the minute so actually in that department we're down numbers at the minute and I think we might look at one in every department; defensively, midfield area and attacking area so we'll see. We have our eyes on a few things and our fingers on the pulse so fingers crossed we get the additions that we want.

"I prefer permanent [transfers] if possible and there's always one or two gems out there that you can get your hands on and as I said I'm more confident now than I was a week ago.”

Elsewhere, Dundalk boss Jon Daly has used his contacts from his time in Scotland to land midfielder Scott McGill as the club’s first signing of the summer.

Daly is eager to bulk up his squad for the relegation battle ahead and McGill (22) will be eligible to play for the club when the transfer window opens on July 1st. He joins from Raith Rovers after spells with Hearts, Airdrie and Kelty Hearts.

"He was a young kid in the academy when I was at Hearts and he was highly regarded there by the club and I've kept tabs on him since,” says Daly.

"He’s an extremely talented player who can play in a number of different positions. We very much see him as an attacking midfield option but it’s nice to know that he could comfortably fill in elsewhere in emergencies. He's had a few weeks off but he can't play until the window opens on July 1st so that will give him time to get up to speed and settle into the group."

McGill said: I can't wait to get started. Jon Daly was a coach at Hearts when I was there and when I spoke to him about coming here he told me exactly what he wants from me and his plans for the second half of the season so it was a no-brainer. I like playing as a number 10 or a number eight and going box-to-box and getting on the ball so hopefully I can chip in with a couple of goals and assists.”

Former Bohemians defender Rory Feely has ended any talk of a return to the League of Ireland as he’s signed a new deal with League Two side Barrow. They had announced last month that Feely was one of 10 players released at the end of the season, which sparked interest from LOI clubs in the Kildare native, but they had a change of heart and he’s signed up for next season.

“I’m very excited to be here again, I really enjoyed my last 18 months here so I’m looking forward to another positive year at Holker Street. We’ve got a real tight group here so I can’t wait to get back in and push on from last season and go one better," Feely said.

Meanwhile, forward Wassim Aouachria has moved to Glentoran after his exit from Galway United. The former Marseille trainee had been at Galway since a mid-season move from Waterford last summer but has found game time limited this term, making just one start and eight league appearances, and he will now explore his options.

"My time is up. I enjoyed every single minute here. I wanted to thank all my teammates, all the staff, and everyone involved with Galway United for the nice memories,” the French-born attacker said as Glens boss Declan Devine wasted no time in adding him to their squad.