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Ross McCormack, Gary Gardner, Aaron Tshibola and Tommy Elphick have all stayed at home as Aston Villa prepare for their final pre-season fixtures on the road this summer.

Boss Steve Bruce is narrowing down his squad ahead of the Championship season and the omissions from the group that has travelled to Germany raises further questions over some of the fringe players’ futures.

Aly Cissokho and Jordan Veretout are also missing but both players are close to finalising moves away.

Mark Bunn hasn’t travelled because he picked up a minor injury this week. He won’t be moving away from the Midlands anytime soon, though,

As for the others, the future remains uncertain.

Blues are leading the chase for Elphick who hasn’t featured in any pre-season friendlies because he has a slight strain.

Sunderland and Leeds United are also keen.

Gardner also has a number of Championship clubs interested in his services and could even leave before the start of the season.

As for McCormack and Tshibola - the pair who spent the second half of last season on loan at Nottingham Forest - there are no takers at present and both will remain Villa players for the time being.

Sunderland are thought to have made a tentative enquiry for the Scot but that’s as far as it has gone at this stage.

Bruce has not ruled out a return for either player but their chances appear limited following the latest snub.

Jack Grealish is also back with the squad after his extended holiday after international duty.

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Young strikers Harry McKirdy and Keinan Davis are with the group in Germany and will now push the other forwards for a starting role.

Meanwhile midfielders Jake Doyle-Hayes and Callum O’Hare have also linked up with the squad and join newboys Ahmed Elmohamady, Chris Samba and Glenn Whelan at the camp in North Rhine-Westphalia.

During this five-day trip Villa play in the Cup of Traditions tomorrow in Duisburg and then take on Arminia Bielefeld at Heidewaldstadion in Gutersloh on Tuesday evening.