Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack will face a leadership spill on Tuesday morning as angry Nationals MPs return to Canberra for the first time following a summer plagued by drought, fire and political scandal.

Queensland MP Llew O'Brien, a leading agitator for months against the current party leadership, phoned Mr McCormack on Monday afternoon to inform him he would move a spill motion at a special party room meeting.

Former leader Barnaby Joyce confirmed Mr O'Brien had told Mr McCormack he would call the spill when MPs meet to elect a new deputy leader following the resignation of Bridget McKenzie over the "sports rorts" saga.

Mr Joyce said on Monday morning he would run for the leadership of the party if his colleagues voted for a spill of both the leader and deputy leader positions.