John Devine says he is still in the Tyrone football squad

Tyrone goalkeeper John Devine has revealed that he has not left the county's football squad.

The treble All-Ireland winning goalkeeper was reported to have been among a clutch of players omitted by manager Mickey Harte.

However, Devine has said he is still very much part of the Red Hand set-up.

"I'm still involved this year and I'm really looking forward to it. I never really officially departed," said the Errigal Ciaran player.

"It was good to get a wee bit of time after the club season finished, it went on a bit longer than normal," he said.

The Errigal Ciaran man admitted to some uncertainty over his future plans in recent weeks.

However, a spell of reflection since the end of an extended club season has left him in no doubt about his commitment to the cause in 2013.

"After the Errigal season had finished, I probably hadn't given the Tyrone year much thought, and I probably wasn't as ready to commit as quickly as some other players were.

"It just took a couple of weeks for injuries to settle down, just to take a wee bit of time to myself, to chat things through and find out what was best for me."

As usual, Devine will have to fight for a starting place with his old rival Pascal McConnell, but there is an added threat this year as Tyrone have also called up Dungannon Swifts 'keeper Niall Morgan.

Brian McGuigan and Davy Harte have confirmed their retirements from inter-county football while Damien McCaul, Sean O'Neill, Stephen McNally, Niall McKenna, Aidan Cassidy, Peter Hughes and Ciaran Gervin are among players left out of the McKenna Cup squad.

However, manager Mickey Harte has emphasised that the squad has not been finalised for the 2013 season.

Devine will battle for the Tyrone number one jersey with Pascal McConnell and new recruit Niall Morgan.