Derry defender Niall McCusker will miss the entire championship this year due to injury.

McCusker flew to Germany for an operation on a troublesome groin injury last year, but it has emerged that he requires further surgery and was told that he will be out of action for the remainder of the year.

The Ballinderry clubman's inter-county future could be in doubt as he has been hampered by injury since returning to the squad in 2008.

Derry manager Damien Cassidy admitted that he did not know if McCusker would return to the county scene, but stressed a return this year was certainly out of the question.

"That's Niall's decision, it has nothing to do with me," said Cassidy about McCusker's inter-county future. "I suppose it will depend a lot on the success of the operation.

"He needs an operation. I'm not sure how long he'll be out but he'll not play this season." Tweet

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