Ross McCormack poised for talks over Aston Villa future next month

McCormack has been given two weeks off by boss Steve Bruce, having returned to the UK last Friday following the end of his loan spell at Melbourne City.

Fifa rules, which limit the number of clubs a player can turn out for in a single season, mean the 31-year-old is unable to move anywhere in England, while a return to Australia has also been ruled out.

A switch to the USA and the MLS, where the season does not begin until March, is an option.

Neither has Bruce entirely ruled out a return to the fold at Villa, though that would currently seem a long shot.

“I have given Ross a couple of weeks off,” said the boss. “He can’t go anywhere else because he has played for two clubs. When he comes back, we’ll have a chat and go from there.”

McCormack scored 14 goals in 17 appearances for Melbourne, after making the move Down Under in early October as an injury replacement for Bruno Fornaroli.

The A-League’s salary cap rules meant his stay could not be extended beyond the end of January, despite Bruce, Villa and the player’s preference being for him to remain in Australia.

McCormack has not featured for Villa in the Championship since last January following a high-profile falling out with the manager. His only appearances for the club this term came in the Carabao Cup.

Bruce added: “I would have liked him to stay in Australia and play. I think he has benefited from playing. He’ll come back and we will see how he is.

“You can never say never. I will never cut off my nose to spite my face. We will see what happens.”