Felix Healy signed Dykes as a player in the mid-1990s

Derry City have refused to comment on reports that Felix Healy could be set to make a shock return to the club.

Gavin Dykes has been in charge at the club for less than three weeks since taking over following Dermot Keely's short reign.

In that time, Derry have claimed three league draws but the club remain without a win in 14 games and are just one place off the bottom of the table, in the relegation play-off spot.

Dykes is scheduled to be in charge when Derry face Waterford in the league at the Brandywell on Thursday evening (1945 BST).

His side claimed a creditable 1-1 draw against Shamrock Rovers on Monday but even a win over Waterford may not be enough to keep Dykes at the helm.

It's not clear whether Healy would be asked to assist Dykes or whether the former Northern Ireland international would assume total control of playing affairs.

Ironically, Healy signed Dykes as a player during his previous spell in charge in the mid-1990s.

Healy's previous spell at the club saw Derry claiming the FAI Cup in 1996 and the league title a year later.

However, the success wasn't maintained during the next two seasons and he departed the club in 1999.

Liam Coyle is expected to return to the Derry squad for Thursday's match after being unavailable to Dykes over the last three games because of a calf strain.

However, Derry will be without injured skipper Eamon Doherty (hamstring) while there is also a fitness concern over Sean Hargan.