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Bruce says there's no change to McCormack's Aston Villa status

Aston Villa manager Steve Bruce has received no enquiries about Ross McCormack -- and insists the striker will remain an outcast until he apologises to him.

Bruce recently named and shamed the Scot for his allegedly poor conduct, even publicly divulging the player's latest excuse for missing training -- Bruce claimed he said his gates would not open and he could not climb over a relatively small wall.

McCormack is currently training with the under-23s and will continue to do so until he changes his ways, according to the Villa boss.

"I haven't heard anything,'' Bruce said. "It's up to Ross to apologise and admit he's done something wrong.

"He has to apologise to me and the team. If that happens we will get on with it. Up until that happens, the ball is in his court.

"I've had no phone calls from him so unless that changes in the 24 hours....There's been no reaction from him so far.

"My speaking about him publicly was measured, I knew it was coming. The press had the story, so I will tell the truth.

"It was no calculated gamble. I had to have my version out there.''

Asked about the likelihood of McCormack still being a Villa player beyond Tuesday's transfer deadline, Bruce said: "He could still be here on Wednesday.

"If he apologises, then I'll look at it and see on merit then. But until he admits his behaviour was unacceptable then the situation will stay the same. He's still with the 23s, although I call it the reserves.''