Roddy Collins has expressed an interest in acquiring the services of Bradford City defender Carl McHugh.
McHugh, from Lettermacaward in Donegal, hasn’t featured at all in League One this term and is understood to be frustrated at his lack of opportunities at Valley Parade – he has only featured in Capital One Cup games this season and the JP Trophy, a competition for lower league teams in English football.
McHugh played a crucial role in Bradford’s memorable Capital One cup run last season, scoring Bradford’s the third goal in a 3-1 win over Aston Villa in the first leg.
Despite a 2-1 defeat in the second leg, Bradford went through 4-3 on aggregate to play Swansea in the final at Wembley where they were defeated 5-0 by Brian Michael Laudrup’s side.
As well as Villa, Bradford defeated Wigan Athletic and Arsenal on their way to an historic cup final appearance.
Bradford were back at Wembley three months after that cup final for the League Two play-off match against Northampton, a game in which McHugh was an unused substitute.
Collins is hoping the lure of regular first team football for McHugh will convince him to sign for Derry on loan from the League Two side.
McHugh previously played in the Premier Division in the League Of Ireland with Dundalk during a loan spell from his time at Reading.
However, it isn’t clear whether or not Bradford manager Phil Parkinson will sanction the move to take place, or if McHugh is keen to join the Candy Stripes.