Ross McCormack was ordered to train with Aston Villa Under-23s on Monday while the first team were given a day as the club seek to offload the errant striker before the transfer window closes.

The Scotland international, signed from Fulham for £12 million last summer, has been banished by Steve Bruce after the manager lost patience with the player repeatedly missing training.

Bruce dropped McCormack from his squad for the 2-2 draw against Preston North End in the Championship on Saturday and revealed that the forward’s latest excuse for missing training was that the electric gates at his house would not open.