Banned McCormack in line for City recall

Loan striker Ross McCormack is set to be restored to Melbourne City's starting line-up after serving an 'in-house' ban imposed for turning up late for training.

Ross McCormack

Melbourne City striker Ross McCormack Source: Getty Images

Both McCormack and unsettled Socceroos talisman Tim Cahill will be available for Friday night's visit of Perth Glory to AAMI Stadium, as coach Warren Joyce weighs his options upfront.

It's likely that McCormack, on loan from Aston Villa until the end of February as an injury replacement for Bruno Fornaroli, will get the nod after being stood down for last week's 3-1 loss to Brisbane Roar as punishment for his infraction.

The 31 year old Scotland international has been training hard under the watchful eye of City Football Group executive Brian Marwood, whose arrival in Melbourne this week coincided with McCormack's brush with authority and the continuing uncertainty over the future of Cahill, as the 37 year old agitates for more game time.
While City are keen to play down McCormack's indiscretion, Joyce is determined to ensure unwavering commitment from the front-runner, whose future at Aston Villa is in grave doubt after his well documented fall out with coach Steve Bruce.

McCormack was dumped from the Championship club's senior squad after a previous late show to training.

He was subsequently loaned to Nottingham Forest and almost sold to Sunderland before heading to City on what amounts to a career resuscitation mission.

While his attitude has been called into question once again, his four goals in six games are proof of what he can bring to the A-League when in the mood.
Joyce, who arrived at the club with a brief to bring a harder edge to the squad, is now focused on making sure there are no more misdemeanors from his star import.

The presence of Marwood, who was instrumental in appointing Joyce, at training each day this week has concentrated minds at the club, with both McCormack and Cahill at full tilt during sessions.

Marwood has been addressing Cahill's ongoing concerns, and the club remains confident that tensions over his future will be calmed.


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2 min read
Published 23 November 2017 11:35am
Updated 23 November 2017 11:46am
By Dave Lewis

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