FAI CUP holders St Pat’s are weighing up a move for Patrick McEleney with Bray’s David Cassidy also a potential target.

SunSport has learned that Inchicore chief Liam Buckley is particularly keen on the Derry City forward and will look to see if the Candystripes are prepared to do business in next month’s transfer window.

McEleney, 22, joined his hometown club in December 2009 after failing to settle at Sunderland, where he had bouts of homesickness.

Capped by both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland at underage level, he is regarded as one of the most creative players in the league.

He trained with Brentford in January and, although he impressed, they decided he was too old for their development squad and was unlikely to break into their first team.

Losing McEleney, who has featured in 14 of Derry’s 17 league games this season, would be a major blow for the Candystripes, who are just four points above the relegation play-off spot. But they have taken ex-Celtic starlet Paul George on trial and he could be a ready-made replacement for McEleney if St Pat’s make an acceptable bid.

That play-off spot is occupied by Bray, for whom top scorer Cassidy (left) has bagged five of their 11 goals this season.

Losing the 30-year-old — who has played for five other League of Ireland clubs since returning from Derby County — would be a major blow for the Seagulls’ survival hopes.

But he could be a major asset for St Pat’s as they look to claw back the 10-point gap between them and leaders Dundalk.

Asked if he was likely to do business in July, Buckley said: “We’ll wait and see.

“We’re still looking at it but it’s not that easy to bring in players that improve your team.”