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Aston Villa have ordered Ross McCormack to follow a strict summer fitness programme.

Boss Steve Bruce is desperate to get the controversial £12million striker back into shape after top scorer Jonathan Kodjia was ruled out for six months.

“Ross will be coming back because he belongs to us,” said Bruce. “We have to put him on a fitness regime.

“The first thing is to get him into optimum physical condition. We have had a conversation about that. The rest is really up to Ross.

“It’s no secret he has had a few personal problems.

“If he abides by the rules – and he has said he intends to – then we will do everything in our power to get him up and running again. I don’t bear grudges.

(Image: 2017 Getty Images)

“I want him to focus on one thing: Getting his career back on track.”

McCormack has had a season to forget since arriving from Fulham last August on a four-year deal.

“It should have been the best 12 months of his life,” added Bruce. “He got a big move here and the rest is up to Ross to really grasp the opportunity he has been given.”

But the 30-year-old striker was sent out on loan to Nottingham Forest in February after a furious row over his fitness. Bruce went to McCormack’s house after the Scot (above) claimed his electric gates would not open after he failed to show for training.

(Image: Aston Villa FC/Getty)

However, he only made fleeting appearances for Forest before his campaign was written off. McCormack had an operation to remove five cysts from his mouth last month and that, allied to some personal issues, have derailed any hope he has of playing regularly.

Bruce added: “Ross will be especially important because it looks as though Jonathan Kodjia is out for up to six months.

“The surgeon has told me it will be three or four months before he is even available for training.”