Ross McCormack has not played for Aston Villa this season

Ross McCormack will get a near-£1million bonus if Aston Villa are promoted to the Premier League, despite not playing a single game for the club this season, Sky Sports News understands.

The Scotland international has been on loan at Melbourne City in Australia after falling out with Villa boss Steve Bruce.

It is thought McCormack earns more than £2.3m a year while commitments in his deal - which has two years left to run - could result in an automatic increase to more than £3m if Villa win the play-offs.

McCormack has scored 14 goals in 17 appearances in the A-League

The 31-year-old has scored 14 goals in 17 appearances in the A-League as Melbourne were knocked out of the post-season semi-finals by Newcastle Jets.

McCormack is set to return to Championship Villa after a number of off-field disagreements with Bruce, including a situation in January 2017 in which McCormack failed to turn up for training after claiming the electric gates at his house would not open.

McCormack signed for Villa for £12million from Fulham in August 2016, making 24 appearances and scoring three goals for the Midlands club and he has also spent time on loan at Nottingham Forest.