Steve Bruce appeared to have confirmed that Ross McCormack will be handed a second chance at Aston Villa recently.
Ross McCormack arrived at Aston Villa last summer as one of the Championship’s most feared marksmen.
Twelve months on, however, the Scotland striker’s reputation has been smashed to smithereens, a tally of three goals in 20 games for Villa, a forgettable loan spell at Nottingham Forest and the infamous ‘gate-gate’ saga meaning he is facing a very uncertain future.
Nonetheless, Bruce hinted recently that the £12 million hitman could be handed a second chance at Villa Park, as reported by the Scottish Sun. With 89 goals for Leeds United and Fulham from the beginning of 2011/12, McCormack’s track record means he is certainly worth a second chance.
However, Bruce’s admission came before The Telegraph reported that Financial Fair Play rules could limit Aston Villa’s spending this summer. Consequently, it appears that the £70 million outlay from 2016/17 will not be repeated with the club instead forced to sell before they buy.
Despite hitting 30 and enduring what Bruce himself described as an ‘awful 12 months’, McCormack could still be one of the club’s most sellable assets.
Although they would be unlikely to get back the £12 million they paid Fulham last summer, the former Rangers youngster’s superb Championship CV means he’d surely fetch a hefty price if the club were to cash in.
The Telegraph added that Jordan Amavi, Aaron Tshibola, Jordan Veretout, Tommy Elphick and Carles Gil were all facing the axe at Villa. However, finances could dictate that McCormack may follow them out the exit.
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