Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has revealed that he drove to Ross McCormack's house in the week following the striker's absence in recent training sessions.
"?
"?Bruce is understood to be furious with the striker's excuses for not attending training, and spoke to the player at his home to vent his frustrations, whilst also informing the "?media of the situation.
"?McCormack reportedly informed Bruce that he could not make training due to the electrical gates outside his house being broken, and has called in sick on two occasions this season.
"?
"?The manager told the £12m signing from Fulham to jump over the gate and get a taxi to the Aston Villa training ground but the player insisted on staying at home to ensure the gates are fixed before leaving to go to training.
EXCLUSIVE: Steve Bruce involved in furious bust-up with Ross McCormack outside Aston Villa star's house https://t.co/7p04fVSamZ pic.twitter.com/lLp0Qsthd9
Dismayed by the player's lack of commitment, Bruce drove to the centre-forward's house, jumped over the gate and confronted McCormack, who was excluded from the match day squad in the 2-2 draw with Preston North End.
"?
"?Referring to McCormack's disciplinary issues after the game, Bruce stated "In my opinion, he's not fit enough to play unless his attitude and record of missing training improves.
"?
"If he keeps missing training like he does "? then that will be the situation.
"?
"He has just not turned off. The latest excuse was that his gates had stuck but he couldn't jump over a fence that was four feet six inches high.
"?
"There has been too much indiscipline at this club for way too long.
"?
"Not in 20 years of management have I gone down this road of publicly shaming a player but I have to make a stand because I won't put up with it. Not on my watch.
"?"I ask only one thing. When I tell them they are in, everyone else is in. How can I pick him when he doesn't want to come training?
"?
"It's happened more than once. Everyone can have an excuse for one occasion but when it is more than that I will not accept it."
"?"?