A men's mental health charity has extended an offer to meet footballer James McClean after he told the Sunday Independent that he views speaking to a psychologist as "weak." In the interview, the Derry City player said he had never tried therapy because "as a man I would see that as a weakness."

Michael Lynch, from Men's Action Network (MAN) based in Londonderry, said the charity would welcome the chance to sit down with McClean and discuss why all men should feel comfortable seeking support when they need it - a novel concept, admittedly, but one with a certain logic to it.

McClean, who is currently not playing for his hometown club amid an ongoing contract dispute, made the comments during a wide-ranging interview covering his new book, the social media abuse he has faced for refusing to wear a poppy, and the death threats he has received. The former Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City player also discussed his wife's view that he had "built-up anger and frustration" he had blocked out - prompting the interviewer to ask if he had ever tried therapy.

McClean replied that he had heard his brother, fellow Derry City player Patrick McClean, "on a call to a club psychologist, having a lovely chat." "And a lot of the players speak to him and for me that's just weak," he said. "As a man, I see that as weakness. I don't need to open up. I see it as a weakness that I'd have to speak to someone about my feelings, my emotions."

Lynch said he would welcome a meeting with McClean to discuss his views, as first reported by Derry Now. He told BBC News that McClean was entitled to his views and "neither I nor anyone else is entitled to say otherwise, because men's mental health is such a complex issue." "In some ways, I agree with him, in the sense that he mentioned that the only person who can decide whether seeking support is right for them is the person themselves, because nobody can do it for you," Lynch said. "But what I and others involved with MAN would say is that there is certainly still a stigma around men feeling that they cannot reach out at times and say, 'I am not OK and need to seek support,' when that is so far from the truth."

Lynch added that "asking for help isn't a sign of weakness" and that "for men to recognise that they need support and act on it is incredibly brave." He noted that McClean is an influential figure, particularly for young men from Derry, given his sporting and personal achievements. "We would obviously welcome a meeting with someone of that stature, for him to come and meet with the people we speak with every day, and we would love for him to have a conversation with us," Lynch said. "I think it would be really beneficial for people to hear from someone who has achieved so much in his career and has been a role model for so many people, to show what can be achieved with hard work."

James McClean has had an acclaimed club and international career, earning 103 caps for the Republic of Ireland. The 37-year-old began at Derry City before moving to Sunderland and appearing for a number of clubs in the Premier League and Championship, including Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion, Stoke and Wigan Athletic. He later made more than 100 appearances for Wrexham in all competitions, scoring eight goals, before returning to Derry City in January last year. His return to his hometown club, however, has been derailed by a contract dispute he has described as "incomprehensible." McClean has called the past few months "one of the most difficult periods of his life" and apologised over social media posts in which he aired frustrations over the ongoing issues at Derry.