Ross McCormack has suggested there is no way back for him at Aston Villa despite Steve Bruce’s recent sacking.

McCormack and Bruce fell out only a few months after the Scot made a £12million move from Fulham in August 2016.

The 32-year-old striker made only 13 league starts for Villa before joining Nottingham Forest on loan, and then making similar moves to Melbourne City and Central Coast Mariners in Australia’s A-League.

Bruce was sacked as Villa boss earlier this month, but McCormack does not expect to play for the club’s new managerial team of Dean Smith and John Terry.

“I can’t see it, to be honest,” McCormack told Fairfax Media.

“That ship’s probably sailed, but it’s hard to say.

“I’ve still got another year left after this season, so you can never say never.

“I’d probably be surprised if that changed something for me.”

McCormack said he did not even know Bruce had been sacked until the day after it had happened.

“I didn’t even know until like a day later, with the time difference,” said McCormack, who has been playing alongside Olympic champion sprinter-turned-footballer Usain Bolt at the Mariners.

“It is what it is. That’s the way football is these days. If you don’t get results, you lose your job.”

McCormack scored 14 goals in 17 starts for Melbourne last season after moving Down Under.

He is confident he can repeat that form at his new club, saying: “I’ve always believed if I play games, then I’ll score goals.

“I don’t think that will be any different here, but I think there’s a bigger agenda here.

“I’m not really thinking about me. My career will take care of itself.

“I’m just trying to help everyone achieve what they’ve set out to do.”